New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 17 - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Chapter VI - Transportation Regulations
Subchapter D - Motor Carriers Of Passengers
Article 3 - Safety
Part 720 - Bus And Passenger Carrying Vehicle Safety Regulations
Section 720.8 - Specially equipped vehicles to transport the disabled

(i) The door opening(s) shall be of sufficient size to accommodate the wheelchair with a seated passenger When a door is located at the rear of the vehicle, a reflective decal, with a dimension of at least 50 square inches, must be affixed so as to present a unobstructed view to the drivers of vehicles approaching from the rear and to call attention to the open door(s).

(ii) The interior release latch handle may be of contrasting color.

(iii) A drip molding shall be installed above the door opening(s) to effectively drain water away from the entrance area.

(iv) The door(s) shall cover the entire opening and shall be weather-sealed to include lift or ramp storage area.

(v) The door(s) shall be equipped with a device that will actuate an audible or visible signal when the door(s) is not securely closed. Such warning signals shall be located in the driver's compartment. The visible signal shall be a minimum two-inch red or amber lamp and shall be readily visible to the driver while in his or her normal belted seated position.

(vi) Each door shall contain a window that provides visibility of the ramp or lift.

(vii) A positive fastening device shall be installed to hold the door or doors in an open position.

(viii) The door posts, door locking device and doors shall be constructed in a manner to develop at least the same rigidity and crash resistance as the sides and rear of the vehicle.

(ix) A light placed inside the vehicle, located over the service door and activated by opening the door, shall be provided to illuminate the ramp and platform area.

(i) It shall be of sufficient strength and rigidity to support wheelchair, occupant and attendant. It shall be equipped with protective flange on each longitudinal side to keep the wheelchair on the ramp. The ramp shall be capable of supporting a minimum of 600 pounds.

(ii) Floor of ramp shall be constructed of a non-skid material.

(iii) On all vehicles equipped with a wheelchair lift that is stowed in the vehicle interior within 16 inches of an adjacent wheelchair position and the lift platform is made of a metallic mesh type material, the opening in the mesh shall comply with any applicable Federal standard. In the absence of such Federal standard, the mesh shall be no larger than one quarter of an inch in diameter to insure that passengers do not catch their fingers within the mesh opening.

(iv) Ramp shall be equipped with handles and be of weight and design to permit one person to put the ramp in place and return it to its storage place.

(v) Ramp shall be properly secured in the stored position.

(vi) Provisions shall be made to attach the ramp at one end to the inside of the vehicle at floor level, in such manner as to permit easy access of the wheels of the wheelchair(s) between the floor of the vehicle and the ramp.

(vii) The minimum length of the ramp shall be three times the distance, measured vertically, between the vehicle floor to which the ramp is attached and the ground on which the vehicle rests. The ramp shall be measured from the point where the ramp makes contact with the ground to the point where the ramp makes contact with the vehicle floor.

(viii) The width of ramp shall conform to the approximate width of the door opening.

(ix) Instructions for the use of the ramps must be posted and readily visible when the service door is open.

(i) It shall be of sufficient size to accommodate the wheelchair and occupant. The power lift shall be capable of lifting a minimum load of 600 pounds.

(ii) Protective paneling shall be provided adjacent to the lift to prevent shearing action between platforms and vehicle floor or door jams.

(iii) On all vehicles equipped with a wheelchair lift that is stowed in the vehicle interior, within 16 inches of an adjacent wheelchair position and the lift platform is made of a metallic mesh type material, the opening in the mesh shall comply with any applicable Federal standard. In the absence of such Federal standard, the mesh shall be no larger than one quarter of an inch in diameter to insure that passengers do not catch their fingers within the mesh opening.

(iv) All elevator type lifts shall be mounted on the chassis frame or vehicle body, provided the body and/or chassis frame is adequately strengthened and supplied with a warranted by the lift installer. Edges of platform and adjacent floor shall be properly finished, and all seams covered with molding as required for vehicle floor. Flexible seals, designed to keep out dirt, water and fumes when in a locked position, shall be installed along platform edges. An approach ramp shall be attached to the lift platform. When the platform is in the down position, the approach ramp shall minimize the incline from the ground to the lift floor. The approach ramp shall have a skid-resistant surface. There shall be means provided to contain the wheelchair on lift platform, when platform is in use.

(v) The power lift platform shall be constructed of a non-skid material.

(vi) A device shall be installed which will prevent operation of lift until the doors are open.

(vii) A device shall be provided to prevent power lift from dropping while in a stored position.

(viii) All electrical and hydraulic lines within the passenger compartment shall be adequately enclosed and protected.

(ix) In the event the power lift, when in the stored position, prevents inside access to the special service door opening, the lift control system shall be equipped with a device which will allow moving the lift from its obstructing position in the event of an emergency or power failure.

(x) All lifts shall be approved by the lift manufacturer for passenger carrying purposes.

(xi) Instructions for use of the lift must be posted and readily visible when the service door is open.

(i) If an elevator type lift is used, a covered chain shall be installed between the stanchion posts to enclose the area of the power lift.

(ii) There shall be a padded modesty panel (barrier) directly in front of any forward facing seat in any unprotected area. There shall be a minimum of 25 inches seat and knee room combined space provided.

(i) This aisle shall be free of fixed items that could impede or obstruct the movement of wheelchairs or create a tripping hazard.

(ii) Vehicles shall have access at least 10 inches wide from the right side door to the rear most passenger position. Vehicles equipped with two entrances doors located on the right side may designate the rear most passenger position for each door location.

(i) Aisles shall be designed to be unobstructed at all times by any type of fixed object (barrier, seat, stanchion, etc.) While a wheelchair shall not be considered a fixed object in this section, a wheelchair tie down mounting bracket designed in such a manor to prohibit a smooth egress shall be considered a fixed object.

(ii) The main aisle shall not contain any obstructions.

(iii) A flip seat in the unoccupied or up position shall not obstruct the 30- inch minimum aisle to any side emergency door.

(i) white against a blue background;

(ii) a square not less than four nor more than six inches on each side;

(iii) mounted as close as practicable to the vertical centerline of the rear of the bus and three to six feet above the ground, but NOT on glass needed for visibility; and

(iv) the symbol may be a decal or a sign or may be painted on the bus, and if desired, may be of a high-intensity reflectorized material meeting the USDOT's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Standard FP-85.

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(i) Design load. The design load of the lift shall be at least 600 pounds. Working parts, such as cables, pulleys, and shafts, which can be expected to wear, and upon which the lift depends for support of the load, shall have a safety factor of at least six, based on the ultimate strength of the material. Nonworking parts, such as the platform, frame, and attachment hardware that would not be expected to wear, shall have a safety factor of at least three, based on the ultimate strength of the material.

(ii) Lift controls. Controls shall be provided that enable the operator to activate the lift mechanism from either inside or outside the bus. The lift shall deploy to all levels (i.e., ground, curb, and intermediate positions) normally encountered in the operating environment. Where provided, each control for deploying, lowering, raising, and stowing the lift and lowering the roll-off barrier shall be of a momentary contact type requiring continuous manual pressure by the operator and shall not allow improper lift sequencing when the lift platform is occupied. The controls shall allow reversal of the lift operation sequence, such as raising or lowering a platform that is part way down, without allowing an occupied platform to fold or retract into the stowed position.

Exception:Where the lift is designed to deploy with its long dimension parallel to the vehicle axis and which pivots into or out of the vehicle while occupied (i.e., rotary lift), the requirements of this paragraph prohibiting the lift from being stowed while occupied shall not apply if the stowed position is within the passenger compartment and the lift is intended to be stowed while occupied.

(iii) Emergency operation. The lift shall incorporate an emergency method of deploying, lowering to ground level with a lift occupant, and raising and stowing the empty lift if the power to the lift fails. No emergency method, manual or otherwise, shall be capable of being operated in a manner that could be hazardous to the lift occupant or to the operator when operated according to manufacturer's instructions. The design shall not permit the platform to be stowed or folded when occupied, unless the lift is a rotary lift and is intended to be stowed while occupied. No manual emergency operation shall require more than two minutes to lower an occupied wheelchair to ground level.

(iv) Power or equipment failure. Platforms stowed in a vertical position, and deployed platforms when occupied, shall have provisions to prevent their deploying, falling, or folding any faster than 12 inches per second or their dropping of an occupant in the event of a single failure of any load carrying component.

(v) Platform barriers loading ramp. The lift platform shall be equipped with barriers to prevent any of the wheels of a wheelchair or mobility aid from rolling off the platform during its operation. A movable barrier or inherent design feature shall prevent a wheelchair or mobility aid from rolling off the edge closest to the vehicle until the platform is in its fully raised position. Such barriers shall not interfere with maneuvering into or out of the aisle. The loading edge (outer) barrier, which functions as a loading ramp when the lift is at ground level, shall be of sufficient height, when raised or closed, to prevent a power wheelchair or mobility aid from riding over or defeating it, or a supplementary system to achieve this objective shall be installed. The outer barrier of the lift shall automatically raise or close, or a supplementary system shall automatically engage, and remain raised, closed, or engaged at all times that the platform is more than three inches above the ground and the platform is occupied. Alternatively, a barrier or system may be raised, lowered, opened, closed, engaged, or disengaged by the lift operator, provided an interlock or inherent design feature prevents the lift from rising unless the barrier is raised or closed or the supplementary system is engaged.

(vi) Lift mesh. On all vehicles equipped with a wheelchair lift that is stowed in the vehicle interior, within 16 inches of an adjacent wheelchair position and the lift platform is made of a metallic mesh type material, the opening in the mesh shall comply with any applicable Federal standard. In the absence of such Federal standard, the mesh shall be no larger than one quarter of an inch in diameter to insure that passengers do not catch their fingers within the mesh opening

(vii) Boarding direction. The lift design shall permit both inboard and outboard facing of wheelchair and mobility aid users.

(viii) Use by standees. Lift designs shall accommodate persons using walkers, crutches, canes or braces, or who otherwise have difficulty using steps. The platform may be marked to indicate a preferred standing position.

(ix) Handrails. Platforms on lifts when equipped with handrails on two sides, which move in tandem with the lift, shall be graspable and provide support to standees throughout the entire lift operation. Handrails shall have a usable component at least 8 inches long with the lowest portion a minimum 30 inches above the platform and the highest portion a maximum 38 inches above the platform. The handrails shall be capable of withstanding a force of 100 pounds concentrated at any point on the handrail without permanent deformation of the rail or its supporting structure. The handrail shall have a cross-sectional diameter between 11/4 and 11/2 inches, or shall provide an equivalent grasping surface, and have eased edges with corner radii of not less than 1/8 inch. Handrails shall be placed to provide a minimum 11/2inches knuckle clearance from the nearest adjacent surface. Handrails shall not interfere with wheelchair or mobility aid maneuverability when entering or leaving the vehicle.

(x) Circuit breaker. A reusable circuit breaker shall be installed between the power source and the lift motor if electrical power is used. It shall be located as close to the power source as possible, but not within the passenger/driver compartment.

(xi) Excessive pressure. Lift design shall prevent excessive pressure that could damage the lift system when the platform is fully lowered or raised, or that could jack the vehicle.

(i) Each ramp shall be equipped with a protective flange on each longitudinal side to keep special device on the ramp.

(ii) Floor of ramp shall be constructed of non-skid material.

(iii) Ramp shall be equipped with handles and be of weight and design to permit one person to put the ramp in place and return it to its storage place.

(iv) Ramps installed in raised floor buses by manufacturers may be used for emergency evacuation purposes. They shall not be used as a substitute for a lift when a lift can meet the need.

(v) On all vehicles equipped with a wheelchair ramp that is stowed in the vehicle interior, within 16 inches of an adjacent wheelchair position and the platform is made of a metallic mesh type material, the opening in the mesh shall comply with any applicable Federal standard. In the absence of such Federal standard, the mesh shall be no larger than one quarter of an inch in diameter to insure that passengers do not catch their fingers within the mesh opening.

(i) Installed attachment framework or anchorage devices shall conform to FMVSS section 571.210.

(ii) Seat belt assemblies shall conform to FMVSS section 571.209.

(iii) Child restraint systems used to facilitate the transportation of children shall conform to FMVSS section 571.213 and.222.

(i) securement or securement system only means the device(s) that secures the wheelchair/mobility aid to the vehicle;

(ii) restraint or restraint system only means the device(s) used to restrain the occupant of the wheelchair/mobility aid; and

(iii) securement and restraint system refers to the total system that secures and restrains both the wheelchair/mobility aid and the occupant.

(i) Gurney-type devices shall be secured parallel to the side of each bus.

(ii) The securement and restraint system, including the system track, floor plates, pockets, or other anchorage's, shall be either provided by the same manufacturer, or certified to be compatible by manufacturers of all equipment/systems used on the vehicle.

(iii) When a wheelchair/mobility aid securement device and an occupant restraint share a common anchorage, including occupant restraint designs that attach the occupant restraint to the securement device or the wheelchair/mobility aid, the anchorage shall be capable of withstanding the loads of both the securement device and occupant restraint applied simultaneously, in accordance with FMVSS section 571.222.

(iv) When a wheelchair/mobility aid securement device (webbing or strap assembly) is shared with an occupant restraint, the wheelchair/mobility aid securement device (webbing or strap assembly) shall be capable of withstanding a force of at least twice the amount as specified in 4.4(a) of FMVSS section 571.209.

(v) The bus body floor and sidewall structures where the securement and restraint system anchorage's are attached shall have equal or greater strength than the load requirements of the system(s) being installed.

(vi) The occupant restraint system shall attach to the bus body either directly or in combination with the wheelchair/mobility aid securement system, by a method which prohibits the transfer of weight or force from the wheelchair/mobility aid to the occupant in the event of an impact.

(vii) When an occupied wheelchair/mobility aid is secured in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, the securement and restraint system shall limit the movement of the occupied wheelchair/mobility aid to no more than two inches in any direction under normal driving conditions.

(viii) The securement and restraint system shall incorporate an identification scheme that allows for the easy identification of the various components and their functions. Specifically, the wheelchair/mobility aid securement device (webbing or strap assemblies) and occupant restraint belt assemblies shall be clearly marked to indicate the proper wheelchair orientation in the vehicle, and the name and location for each device or belt assembly, i.e., front, rear lap belt shoulder belt, etc.

(ix) All attachment or coupling devices designed to be connected or disconnected frequently shall be accessible and operable without the use of tools or other mechanical assistance.

(x) All securement and restraint system hardware and components shall be free of sharp or jagged areas and shall be of a non-corrosive material or treated to resist corrosion in accordance with 4.3(a) of FMVSS section 571.209.

(xi) No vehicle manufactured on or after January 1, 2000 with a wheelchair position located within 16 inches of a stowed wheelchair lift that could be struck by the head of a wheelchair occupant seated at that position shall operate in certificated or school service. All vehicles manufactured prior to January 1, 2000 equipped with a wheelchair lift stowed in the interior of the vehicle within 16 inches of an adjacent wheelchair position shall have adequate padding or another method/device that affords reasonable protection to the head of the adjacent wheelchair occupant from possible injury caused by head of the occupant striking the lift roll stop, platform, or any other portion of the lift while it is stowed within the vehicle. The provisions of this paragraph will remain in effect through December 31, 2004.

Note:Possible options include, but are not limited to, placing a removable pad, made of energy absorbing material over the portion(s) of the lift requiring protection or applying the head impact protection standards specified in 49 CFR section 571.222 (FMVSS No. 202 - school bus passenger seating and crash protection).

Effective January 1, 2005, no vehicle manufactured prior to January 1, 2000 with a wheelchair position located within 16 inches of a stowed wheelchair lift that could be struck by the head of a wheelchair occupant seated at that position shall operate in certificated or school service.

(xii) For vehicles manufactured after the effective date of this regulation, a device for storage of the securement and restraint system shall be provided. When the system is not in use, the storage device shall allow for clean storage of the system, keep the system securely contained within the passenger compartment, provide reasonable protection from vandalism, and enable the system to be readily accessed for use.

(xiii) The entire securement and restraint system, including the storage device, shall meet the flammability standards established in FMVSS section 571.302.

(xiv) Each securement device (webbing or strap assembly) and restraint belt assembly shall be permanently and legibly marked or shall incorporate a non-removable label or tag which states that it conforms to all applicable FMVSS requirements for school buses, in effect on the date of manufacture.

(xv) Each vehicle equipped with a securement and restraint system shall contain detailed operating instructions, including a diagram showing the proper placement of the wheelchair/mobility aids and positioning of securement devices and occupant restraints, including correct seat belt angles.

(i) Each securement system location shall consist of a minimum of four anchorage points. A minimum of two anchorage points shall be located in front of the wheelchair/mobility aid and a minimum of two anchorage points shall be located in the rear of the aid. The securement anchorage's shall be attached to the floor of the vehicle and shall not interfere with passenger movement or present any hazardous condition.

(ii) Each securement system location shall have a minimum clear floor area of 30 inches by 48 inches. Additional floor area may be required for some applications. Consultation between the user and the manufacturer is recommended to ensure adequate floor area is provided.

(iii) The securement system shall secure common wheelchair/mobility aids and shall be able to be attached easily by a person having average dexterity who is familiar with the system and wheelchair/mobility aid.

(iv) The securement system shall secure the wheelchair/mobility aid in such a manner that the attachments or coupling hardware will not become detached when any wheelchair/mobility aid component deforms, when one or more tires deflate, and without intentional operation of a release mechanism (e.g., a spring clip on a securement hook).

(v) Each securement device (webbing or strap assembly) shall provide a means of adjustment, based on the manufacturer's design, to remove slack from the device or assembly.

(i) The occupant restraint system shall be made of materials which do not stain, soil, or tear an occupant's clothing, and which are resistant to water damage and fraying.

(ii) Each wheelchair/mobility aid location shall have not less than two floor anchorage's for the occupant pelvic and the connected upper torso restraint.

(iii) Each floor and wall anchorage which secures the occupant restraint to the vehicle and is not permanently attached shall be of a positive latch design, and shall not allow for any accidental disconnection.

(i) Such dynamic test shall be performed in accordance with the procedures set forth in appendix A of SAE J2249 "Test for Frontal Impact Crash Worthiness."

(ii) When tested, the wheelchair/mobility aid securement and occupant restraint system shall pass the criteria in section 6.2 of SAE J2249 "Performance Requirements of Frontal Sled Impact Test."

(i) The special service entrance and door shall be located on the right side of the bus and shall be designed so as not to obstruct the regular service entrance.

(ii) The opening may extend below the floor through the bottom of the body skirt. If such an opening is used, reinforcements shall be installed at the front and rear of the floor opening to support the floor and give the same strength as other floor openings.

(iii) A drip molding shall be installed above the opening to effectively divert water from entrance.

(iv) Door posts, headers and floor sections around this special opening shall be reinforced to provide strength and support equivalent to adjacent side wall and floor construction of an unaltered vehicle model.

(i) all doors shall have positive fastening devices to hold doors in the open position;

(ii) all doors shall be weather sealed;

(iii) all doors shall be equipped with a recessed or flush outside handle, designed to prevent hitching to or riding thereon and constructed to quickly release the door from the outside;

(iv) all doors shall be equipped with a suitable switch connected with an audible or visible warning signal located in the driver's compartment that shall be activated when the door is open or not fully latched. If equipped with a locking system, the doors shall incorporate an interlocking electrical circuit that prevents the engine from being started while the doors are locked. An audible or visible warning device shall be provided to alert the driver if the door is locked while the engine is running or the ignition is on;

(v) door materials, panels and structural strength shall be equivalent to the conventional service and emergency doors. Color, rub rail extensions (if equipped), lettering and other exterior features shall match adjacent sections of the body;

(vi) each door shall have windows set in rubber which are visually similar in size and location to adjacent non-door windows. Glazing shall be of the same type and tinting (if applicable) as the standard fixed glass in other vehicle body locations;

(vii) a switch or device shall be installed so that the lifting mechanism will not operate when the lift platform door(s) are closed; and

(viii) special service entrance doors shall be equipped with padding at the top edge of the interior door opening and shall be at least three inches wide and one inch thick and extend the full width of the door opening.

(i) If manufactured on or after January 1, 1990, fueled with other than diesel fuel, and used to transport three or more wheelchairs or with a total capacity of more than eight passengers and used to transport non-ambulatory students, an automatic fire extinguishing system and/or automatic signal device shall be provided to warn the driver of fire in the engine compartment. (Such devices shall be designed to activate whenever the temperature in the engine compartment reaches 350° F.)

(ii) If transporting non-ambulatory students in school transportation, a fire blanket with a minimum of 35 square feet in size and a minimum width of four feet shall be provided that is, properly identified and readily accessible.

(iii) If manufactured on or after January 1, 1990 and equipped to handle wheelchairs, fire blocked upholstery shall be provided on all padded seats and padded panels designed to protect wheelchair passengers. All other padded panels shall be fire retardant.