[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR38.113]

[Page 572]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
          Subtitle A--Office of the Secretary of Transportation
 
PART 38_AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) ACCESSIBILITY SPECIFICATIONS 
FOR TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES--Table of Contents
 
                Subpart F_Intercity Rail Cars and Systems
 
Sec.  38.113  Doorways.

    (a) Clear width. (1) At least one doorway, on each side of the car 
from which passengers board, of each car required to be accessible by 
Sec.  38.111(a) and where the spaces required by Sec.  38.111(d) of this 
part are located, and at least one adjacent doorway into coach passenger 
compartments shall have a minimum clear opening width of 32 inches.
    (2) Doorways at ends of cars connecting two adjacent cars, to the 
maximum extent practicable in accordance with regulations issued under 
the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (49 CFR parts 229 and 231), 
shall have a clear opening width of 32 inches to permit wheelchair and 
mobility aid users to enter into a single-level dining car, if 
available.
    (b) Passageway. Doorways required to be accessible by paragraph (a) 
of this section shall permit access by persons using mobility aids and 
shall have an unobstructed passageway at least 32 inches wide leading to 
an accessible sleeping compartment complying with Sec.  38.127 of this 
part or seating locations complying with Sec.  38.125(d) of this part. 
In cars where such doorways require passage through a vestibule, such 
vestibule shall have a minimum width of 42 inches. (see Fig. 4)
    (c) Signals. If doors to the platform close automatically or from a 
remote location, auditory and visual warning signals shall be provided 
to alert passengers of closing doors.
    (d) Coordination with boarding platforms.--(1) Requirements. Cars 
which provide level-boarding in stations with high platforms shall be 
coordinated with the boarding platform or mini-high platform design such 
that the horizontal gap between a car at rest and the platform shall be 
no greater than 3 inches and the height of the car floor shall be within 
plus or minus \5/8\ inch of the platform height. Vertical alignment may 
be accomplished by car air suspension, platform lifts or other devices, 
or any combination.
    (2) Exception. New cars operating in existing stations may have a 
floor height within plus or minus 1\1/2\ inches of the platform height.
    (3) Exception. Where platform set-backs do not allow the horizontal 
gap or vertical alignment specified in paragraph (d) (1) or (2), 
platform or portable lifts complying with Sec.  38.125(b) of this part, 
or car or platform bridge plates, complying with Sec.  38.125(c) of this 
part, may be provided.
    (4) Exception. Retrofitted vehicles shall be coordinated with the 
platform in existing stations such that the horizontal gap shall be no 
greater than 4 inches and the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% 
passenger load, shall be within plus or minus 2 inches of the platform 
height.
    (e) Signage. The International Symbol of Accessibility shall be 
displayed on the exterior of all doors complying with this section 
unless all cars and doors are accessible and are not marked by the 
access symbol (see fig. 6). Appropriate signage shall also indicate 
which accessible doors are adjacent to an accessible restroom, if 
applicable.

[56 FR 45756, Sept. 6, 1991, as amended at 58 FR 63103, Nov. 30, 1993]

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