[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: 49CFR38.93]

[Page 566]
 
                        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 E_Commuter Rail Cars and Systems
 
Sec.  38.93  Doorways.

    (a) Clear width. (1) At least one door on each side of the car from 
which passengers board opening onto station platforms and at least one 
adjacent doorway into the passenger coach compartment, if provided, 
shall have a minimum clear opening of 32 inches.
    (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 shall have, to 
the maximum extent practicable in accordance with the regulations issued 
under the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (49 CFR parts 229 and 
231), a clear opening of 30 inches.
    (b) Passageways. A route at least 32 inches wide shall be provided 
from doors required to be accessible by paragraph (a)(1) of this section 
to seating locations complying with Sec.  38.95(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. 3.)
    (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 or closing doors.
    (d) Coordination with boarding platform--(1) Requirements. Cars 
operating in stations with high platforms, or mini-high platforms, shall 
be coordinated with the boarding 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 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 
accessible door of each such vehicle and the platform shall be no 
greater than 3 inches.
    (3) Exception. Where platform set-backs do not allow the horizontal 
gap or vertical alignment specified in paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of 
this section, car, platform or portable lifts complying with Sec.  
38.95(b) of this part, or car or platform ramps or bridge plates, 
complying with Sec.  38.95(c) of this part, shall be provided.
    (4) 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.
    (e) Signage. The International Symbol of Accessibility shall be 
displaced on the exterior of all doors complying with this section 
unless all cars 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.