Course #D-02

Transit Facility ADA Compliance in a Rural Setting

-One Day Course-

This course presents the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ADA Accessible Guidelines (ADAAG) requirements for transportation facilities with particular emphasis on the requirements for new construction and alterations. It also highlights common issues that FTA has identified in oversight reviews. As defined in 49 CFR § 37.3, a facility is “all or any portion of buildings, structures, sites, complexes, equipment, roads, walks, passageways, parking lots, or other real or personal property, including the site where the building, property, structure, or equipment is located.” The definition of a new facility as well as altered facility is explained. Full accessibility requirements are described in terms of the “primary function” and “path of travel” as well as wheelchair access. Limitations in terms of full accessibility for new and altered facilities are described in terms of “construction control”, “structural impracticability”, “maximum extent feasible” and “disproportionate cost”. Other topics covered include bus stop placement and requirements, and transit facility parking spaces and signage. Emphasis in this course is transit facilities in rural settings.

Objectives:

• Know the various DOT and United States Access Board regulations that describe accessibility requirements for transit facilities
• Understand the basic accessibility requirements for the facility “primary function” and “path of travel”
• Understand the definitions of a new facility versus an altered facility
• Learn the limitations recognized by DOT and the ADAAG in making transit facilities accessible
• Understand the unique challenges faced by rural providers in making their facilities accessible
• Know basic requirements for construction of new bus stops in terms of accessibility
• Understand facility parking space requirements and transit facility signage requirements