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Affiliation
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University of Louisville, J.B. Speed School of Engineering, Department of Bioengineering, Louisville, KY 40202. |
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Abstract
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OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of wheeled mobility device (WhMD) ramp-related incidents while boarding/alighting a public transit bus and determine whether frequency of incidents is less when ramp slope meets the proposed ADA maximum allowable limit of ≤9.5°.
DESIGN: Observational. SETTING: Community public transportation. PARTICIPANTS: 414 WhMD users accessing a public transit bus using an instrumented ramp. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of boarding/alighting incidents involving WhMD users and associated ramp slopes; factors influencing incidents.
RESULTS: 4.6% of WhMD users experienced an incident while boarding or alighting a transit bus. Significantly more incidents occurred during boarding (7.0%) than alighting (2.2%) (p<0.01), and when the ramp was deployed to street level (mean slope=11.4°) compared to sidewalk level (mean slope=4.2°) (p=0.01). Odds ratio for experiencing an incident when ramp slope exceeded the proposed ADA maximum allowable ramp slope was 5.4 (95% CI: 2.4(o) to 12.2(o), p<0.01). Odds ratio for assistance being rendered to board/alight when ramp slope exceeded the proposed ADA maximum allowable ramp slope was 5.1 (95% CI: 2.9 to 9.0, p<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the proposed ADA maximum allowable ramp slope of 9.5(o). Ramp slopes >9.5(o), and ramps deployed to street level are associated with greater frequency of incidents and provision of assistance. Transit agencies should increase awareness among bus operators of the effect kneeling and deployment location (street/sidewalk) have on ramp slope. Additionally, ramp components and the built environment may contribute to incidents. When prescribing WhMDs, skills training must include ascending/descending ramps at slopes encountered during boarding/alighting to assure safe and independent access to public transit buses.
Language: en |