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ADA Transportation Regulations

The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, is an act designed to protect, consider and advance people with disabilities in all aspects of life. The ADA has several accessibility requirements for transportation vehicles. These requirements include all forms of public transportation, including buses, trains and public vans.

  1. Vans and Buses

    • The ADA requires vans and buses to provide wheelchair-accessible ramps or lifts. Also, the ADA requires that the vehicle be mechanically immobilized while the lift or ramp is in use. Additionally, lifts or ramps must have handrails, safety barriers and an alternate source of power so that the lift or ramp can still work if the bus' or van's power fails. In addition to lift and ramp requirements, the ADA states that fare boxes must be located at the front of the vehicle, and that stop cables must be no more than 4 feet above the floor. The ADA also requires movable armrests on over-the-road or long-distance buses.

    Rails

    • Rail transportation includes commuter trains, long-distance trains and light rails. The ADA requires doors to be at least 32 inches wide and no more than 4 inches away from the boarding platform. Slip-resistant floors and priority seating for those with disabilities are also requirements of ADA. Additionally, movement areas and restrooms within a train's cab must be accessible to those with wheelchairs.

    Other Vehicles

    • The ADA also has requirements for trams and monorails. The Act states that trams must have at least one seat or space reserved for those with disabilities. For monorails, the ADA requires that the gap between the boarding platform and the vehicle be no more than 3 inches, and the height difference be no more than 5/8 of an inch. Automated Guideway Transit vehicles, also known as "people movers," are vehicles that are similar to trains and move along concrete-enclosed guideways on rubber tires. These vehicles must include a warning system designed to keep people from accidentally leaving cars, and also, AGT vehicles must have no more than a 1 inch gap between platform and car and no more than 1/2 inch vertical gap between the car floor and the platform.

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