ePolicyWorks Transportation Online Dialogues Search Ideas

FHWA's MUTCD guidance (Part 4E) on pedestrian signal timing is problematic and should be revised. When FHWA published the 2009 guidance and moved to using 3.5 feet per second, you relied on two studies to support that change: 1) Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 112, Improving Pedestrian Safety at Unsignalized Crossings and 2) Institute of Transportation Engineers, The Continuing Evolution of Pedestrian... more »

Intersection complexity is constantly increasing. Needs of different cohorts such as motorists, bicycles, micromobility device users and people with disabilities sometimes conflict. All relevant cohorts should be included in creating design guidance for intersections.

I'm dismayed by how little publicity there seemed to be about this opportunity to comment. I received the info recently (almost the deadline) from a friend who forwarded it. For such an important step forward, there don't seem to be that many comments made and today's the deadline. I receive mail from the listserves and newsletters of the American Council of the Blind, National Federation of the Blind, Association for... more »

AFB commends the Department for developing an accessibility strategic plan. People who are blind and have low vision face tremendous barriers to transportation to the point that transportation is regularly identified as one of the top three barriers to unemployment. People who are blind must contend with a lack of service, lack of vehicle accessibility, inconvenient services areas and arrival times, and discrimination.... more »

People with disabilities have the right to the same modes of transportation as people without disabilities. For the vast majority of Americans, their preference is door-to-door transportation without the need to switch modes of transportation-- in other words, a personal conveyance device, also known as a car. With the rise in popularity of Lyft and Uber for the general population, those options need to be accessible... more »

Transporting an electric mobility scooter can be very problematic sometimes.

Often, airplanes transport the scooter in baggage with oversized luggage, wheelchairs and strollers. The have dismantled the scooter,, removed the seat and handlbars, or placed heavy objects on it. These damages have resulted in long delays returning it at the airport, missed flights, long delays for repairs at destinations, inability to use... more »

Subsidies should be granted to low income communities, and people with disabilities, to ensure that all Americans have access. In addition, USDOT could encourage public private partnerships and foundations to consider funding for those in need. Subsidies and community ownership of vehicles could allow for those in rural areas without access to transit to benefit.

USDOT should encourage state DOTs and transit agencies partnering with or hosting AV testing or deployment to respond to the community's needs, particularly those in the disability community, low income, and communities of color, in rural and tribal areas that are often underserved. Agencies must engage these communities to identify problems and solutions, acknowledge the wealth of knowledge derived from experience, and... more »

USDOT should develop engagement guidance to state departments of transportation, state policymakers, metropolitan planning organizations and transit agencies, that includes steps on how to include members of the disability community, low-income communities, and communities of color in advisory groups.

In addition to anti-discriminatory licensing, USDOT should highlight existing ADA requirements that prohibit refusal of service because of insurance company conditions, coverage or rates. Research, discussions and other steps should be undertaken to ensure insurance rates for vehicles with ramps, lifts and additional accessibility features are not prohibitive and do not stall testing and deployment. In addition, if passengers... more »

USDOT should provide a template for private industry that could be used to undertake an accessibility assessment for all new vehicles. The assessment could be similar to the voluntary safety assessment. The results of the assessment should be included in the AV Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (AV TEST) Initiative database and website.

A recent NPRM regarding occupant protection for AVs provides 4 guiding principles NHTSA is using to address Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) reform and regulatory barriers. These include: (1) maintaining current performance requirements, (2) reducing unnecessary barriers and uncertainty for manufacturers, (3) maintaining the current regulatory text structure, and (4) remaining tech neutral. In addition to... more »

USDOT should ensure AVs and current vehicles provide lifts or ramps, including kneeling, as well as securements. In addition, securements must include proper seat and shoulder belts in good repair. Today, the absence or incomplete presence of seat and shoulder belts often expose wheelchair riders to danger, even in ordinary traffic conditions, as opposed to a sudden stop or collision.

USDOT should consider adopting recommendations made by the CCD Transportation TF regarding AV 4.0, including formation of an AV Advisory Committee with an accessibility subcommittee, and any grants funding autonomous vehicle projects requiring that people with disabilities are part of the design and testing of new technologies in order to ensure the accessibility and usability of the technology from the start. NHTSA should... more »

USDOT should consider and adopt July 2019 recommendations made by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Transportation Task Force regarding commercial motor vehicle operation. The Transportation Task Force urged FMCSA to reconsider physical qualification restrictions regarding operation and monitoring of ADS-CMVs, and eliminate the restrictions placed on deaf and hard of hearing applicants for ADS and Non-ADS... more »