Use of Rear-Facing Position for Common Wheelchairs on Transit Buses (2003)

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33 CHAPTER FIVE CONCLUSIONS The objective of this synthesis of transit practice was to survey current practice with respect to the use of the rear- facing position for accommodating “common wheelchairs” [as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)] on large transit buses [more than 13 600 kg (30,000 lb)], and to identify pertinent issues related to the transferability to the U.S. context. The synthesis observed that over the last decade the rear-facing approach to accommodating wheelchairs on large transit buses has moved from its use in a few leader transit systems to widespread adoption by an ever-growing number of transit systems around the world. This adoption by the tran- sit industry abroad is being accompanied, or in some cases spurred on, by the inclusion and definition of this approach in legislation, regulations, and standards in many countries. The synthesis included a review of literature from many sources and countries, a survey of all the Canadian transit sys- tems that have adopted the rear-facing system, case studies, and interviews with experts in several countries. The follow- ing elements were observed among Canadian and European transit systems that have adopted the rear-facing position: • An accessible path from the service door to the wheelchair position; • For rear-facing positions accessed through the front door, enough floor space to back into the position and then execute a 180˚ turn when exiting (including floor space under seats overlapping the maneuvering space of the mobility aids); • For rear-facing positions accessed through middle doors, enough floor space to turn 90° and back into the position and then execute a 90˚ turn when exiting (including floor space under seats overlapping the maneuvering space of mobility aids); • A designated floor space (although wheelchair di- mensions vary); • A load-bearing back panel that allows proximity of a passenger’s back to the back panel, which requires that wheelchair wheels and handlebars be able to straddle the backrest (although dimensions and design character- istics with respect to deceleration forces vary); • A vertical aisle stanchion, wall-mounted lateral straps, or other means to prevent the wheelchair or scooter from sliding or tipping into the aisle; • A horizontal handrail along the bus wall; • A stop request button with a separate signal displayed at the operator’s workstation; • A visual stop display that can be seen by the wheel- chair passenger; and • A process for consulting with users, through advisory committees or focus groups, before adoption of this approach. The review, survey, and consultations have helped to identify a number of the benefits derived from the rear- facing position. Benefits for wheelchair passengers in- clude • Independent and dignified use of the system; • Faster boarding and alighting; • Limited need for physical contact with other persons, such as the bus operator; • Adaptation to the most commonly used wheelchairs and scooters, and even some noncommon wheel- chairs, without the need for attachment points; and • Less damage to the mobility aid from the securement system. Benefits for the transit system include • Reduced dwell times at stops; • Limited involvement of bus operator; • No injuries to or awkward working position for bus operators; and • Decreased maintenance costs for the system. Such benefits clearly make this approach particularly at- tractive to transit systems implementing Bus Rapid Transit systems, including those in the United States, provided that certain conditions are met, given their requirements for short dwell times; high-frequency, large-capacity vehicles operating in tight corridors; and expectations of high levels of service reliability. Nonetheless, a number of challenges remain with re- spect to the rear-facing system including • The need to better understand and determine a level of safety for all passengers on board transit buses, in- cluding standees and those using mobility aids. • The need to better understand the dynamic forces for different size transit buses under different operating speeds and conditions (e.g., acceleration on a steep hill) and crash conditions. • The need to evaluate the diverse dimensions and de- sign characteristics being put forward for the space

34 itself, the back panel, and other components (e.g., stanchions, armrests, and handrails). • The need to develop effective means to prevent scooters or wheelchairs from tipping or moving into the aisle without the assistance of bus operators. Future study could also be undertaken • To develop visual display systems in the bus for upcom- ing stops that are visible from a rear-facing position; and • To conduct a general review of the rear-facing design from a systems perspective based on transit system experience and on future research concerning dy- namic forces, appropriate design requirements, and effective system designs.