30.9BRT Accessibility Check List

  1. Pre-design consultation

    1. Advisory committee of disabled persons and seniors
    2. Focus groups of disabled persons and seniors
    3. Tours during construction

  2. Public space elements (within 400 meters of station)

    1. Sidewalks and walkways along main pedestrian network at least 2.5 meters wide
    2. Sidewalks and walkways along secondary pedestrian network at least 2 meters wide
    3. All other sidewalks and walkways at least 1.5 meters wide
    4. Clearance at obstructions at least 0.9 meters
    5. Overhead clearance at all walkways and sidewalks 2 meters high
    6. Walkways paved, level, nonskid, and drained
    7. Side slope not greater than 1 to 2 percent, lighting OK
    8. Tactile guideway design and use OK (guideways may not be required)
    9. Tactile warnings where required (e.g., at curb ramps, unguarded platform edges)
    10. Full-width curb ramps at all pedestrian crossings with gradient from horizontal not more than 1:12 (8 percent) and with smooth public transportation to street and/or continuous sidewalks (raised crossings) planned
    11. Other ramps with gradients appropriate to length
    12. Traffic signals pedestrian-friendly
    13. Audible signals where appropriate at crossings
    14. Pedestrian bridges or tunnels include access features to assist disabled persons
    15. Long-term planning process in place for phasing in accessible footways to BRT stations and to complementary service and feeder bus stops

  3. Fare collection

    1. Have the needs of disabled customers been taken into consideration in weighing the relative merits of different fare structures?
    2. Fare cards user-friendly
    3. Fare card vending sites accessible to disabled persons

  4. Access at trunk-line stations

    1. All stations served by trained station assistants and/or security personnel
    2. Stations display uniform design understandable by new users
    3. Ramps to stations not greater than 1:12 (8 percent) gradient
    4. Long stations have exits at both ends where possible
    5. One fare gate at least 900 mm wide
    6. Folding seats or benches, and ischiatic supports, if waiting times exceed five minutes
    7. Stations have sliding doors that automatically open with vehicle doors
    8. Adequate lighting
    9. Adequate color contrast
    10. Uniform signage, with icons and color coding to assist disabled or new users
    11. Audible warning at sliding doors
    12. Public transport information in audible and visual formats, tactile format if desired by blind advisers
    13. Elevators planned where needed
    14. Transfer terminals have clear information
    15. Accessible routes planned to connect stations and terminals with other transport modes (pedestrian paths, bicycle paths, intercity vehicles, etc.)

  5. Platform-to-vehicle floor gap

    1. Gap eliminated by boarding bridges lowered from all doors of vehicle for all customers
    2. Stations and busways designed so that a horizontal gap of 10 centimeters at the front door of the vehicle is achievable in regular service (preferred gap is 7.5 centimeters)
    3. Stations and busways designed so that station platform is not more than 1 to 2 centimeters below the vehicle floor
    4. Station door designated for disabled users at front entrance of vehicle
    5. Station assistants trained to assist wheelchair users, others with disabilities
    6. Drivers trained to approach platforms with vehicle parallel to platform edge
    7. Vehicle design and platform design coordinated to eliminate vertical gaps and minimize horizontal gaps
    8. Gap mitigated by use of alignment markers on vehicles and stations, beveled curbs, precision docking, and/or gap fillers

  6. Access at complementary service and feeder-line stops

    1. High-use bus stops prioritized for accessibility features
    2. Enforcement planned to keep stations free of other vehicles
    3. Shelters and waiting areas meet accessibility criteria
    4. All-weather concrete pads where no pavement exists

  7. Specifying access for trunk-line vehicles and complementary service and feeder line buses

    1. Seamless integration of accessible station and vehicle design and operational features
    2. Full spectrum of access features included in specifications for trunk-line and complementary service vehicles, and feeder vehicles where applicable

  8. Signage and announcements

    1. Exterior signage meets or exceeds size and color specifications
    2. Interior signage and announcements meet needs of visually impaired and hearing impaired customers

  9. Vehicle entrances and interior design

    1. Accessible travel paths checked on any vehicles with doors on both sides
    2. If low-floor vehicles used, meet access standards
    3. First step of new complementary service vehicles not more than 25 centimeters above ground level
    4. Hand grasps on both sides of entrances and exits and meet specifications
    5. All turnstiles removed from complementary service and feeder vehicles
    6. Consideration given to including a kneeler feature on feeder-line buses where appropriate
    7. Flooring is nonskid
    8. Adequate (plentiful) use of vertical stanchions and handholds painted in bright yellow or other contrasting color
    9. Seating meets standards to keep customers from sliding
    10. Prioritized seats for seniors, persons with disabilities
    11. Visual and audible stop-request signals if vehicles used outside trunk lines
    12. Wheelchair securements meet stated norms
    13. Have special circumstances (e.g., steep hills) been taken into consideration in specifying wheelchair securement methods and equipment?

  10. Feeder-line vehicle deployment and wheelchair access

    1. Deployment of accessible vehicles on prioritized lines with integrated phase-in of pedestrian access to prioritized stations
    2. Wheelchair user access provided or to be phased in by combination of raised stations, low-floor vehicles, and wheelchair ramps

  11. Public information

    1. Public information will be available in alternative formats
    2. Phone and text numbers for complaints and commendations
    3. Accessible service center
    4. Messages on electronic announcements in stations and on vehicles
    5. Accessible website and social media
    6. Public education campaign

  12. Training

    1. Driver training to include courteous and appropriate treatment of seniors and disabled customers, as well as smooth operation (avoiding abrupt starts and stops, slowing down before turns, and minimizing vehicle-to-platform gap at BRT stations)
    2. Consideration given to provision of orientation to new disabled users
    3. Training for emergencies includes policies regarding disabled customers