[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: 49CFR38.73]

[Page 560-561]
 
                        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 D_Light Rail Vehicles and Systems
 
Sec.  38.73  Doorways.

    (a) Clear width--(1) All passenger doorways on vehicle sides shall 
have minimum clear openings of 32 inches when open.
    (2) If doorways connecting adjoining cars in a multi-car train are 
provided, and if such doorway is connected by an aisle with a minimum 
clear width of 30 inches to one or more spaces where wheelchair or 
mobility aid users can be accommodated, then such doorway

[[Page 561]]

shall have a minimum clear opening of 30 inches to permit wheelchair and 
mobility aid users to be evacuated to an adjoining vehicle in an 
emergency.
    (b) Signage. The International Symbol of Accessibility shall be 
displayed on the exterior of each vehicle operating on an accessible 
light rail system unless all vehicles are accessible and are not marked 
by the access symbol (see fig. 6).
    (c) Signals. Auditory and visual warning signals shall be provided 
to alert passengers of closing doors.
    (d) Coordination with boarding platform--(1) Requirements. The 
design of level-entry vehicles shall be coordinated with the boarding 
platform or mini-high platform design so that the horizontal gap between 
a vehicle at rest and the platform shall be no greater than 3 inches and 
the height of the vehicle floor shall be within plus or minus \5/8\ inch 
of the platform height. Vertical alignment may be accomplished by 
vehicle air suspension, automatic ramps or lifts, or any combination.
    (2) Exception. New vehicles operating in existing stations may have 
a floor height within plus or minus 1\1/2\ inches of the platform 
height. At key stations, the horizontal gap between at least one door of 
each such vehicle and the platform shall be no greater than 3 inches.
    (3) Exception. Retrofitted vehicles shall be coordinated with the 
platform in new and key 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.
    (4) Exception. Where it is not operationally or structurally 
practicable to meet the horizontal or vertical requirements of 
paragraphs (d) (1), (2) or (3) of this section, platform or vehicle 
devices complying with Sec.  38.83(b) or platform or vehicle mounted 
ramps or bridge plates complying with Sec.  38.83(c) shall be provided.