WMATA NEW RAISED EDGE SYSTEMS Mr. DELAY. The Washington Post reports that visually impaired organizations are split on the benefits of the new raised edge systems. Some feel that the existing system is adequate and others feel that the new raised, bright colored system is necessary and would be a benefit. The decision will cost WMATA millions. If safety and access is the goal of the Board, shouldn't we have a consensus on the type of system we will ultimately demand METRO to install? [The information follows:] The transit agencies generally agree that the four foot drop off at rail station platform edges is a safety hazard and that there is a need to warn all passengers of this hazard. Transit agencies have used such warning systems as painted strips, flashing lights, and materials of contrasting color to keep passengers away from platform edges. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that these warning systems be accessible to individuals with disabilities, including blind and visually impaired persons. The raised truncated dome design required by the ADA Accessibility Guidelines provides a textured surface that has been demonstrated through research and actual usage in transit environments to be readily detectable by cane and under foot by blind and visually impaired persons and not to adversely affect other passengers. According to the Federal Transit Administration, over 300 of the total 708 key stations designated by transit agencies are currently in full compliance with the ADA Accessibility Guidelines, including detectable warnings. To our knowledge, WMATA is the only transit agency that opposes detectable warnings. However, WMATA has not provided any documentation that its platform edge warning system, which is a flat surface, is equally detectable by cane and under foot by blind and visually impaired persons. Mr. DELAY. If there are organizations that represent visually impaired transit riders that feel that this expense is unnecessary and will not produce any significant impact on safety and access, shouldn't we hold off on the deadline of this decision? [The information follows:] The Department of Transportation published a notice of proposed rulemaking in November 1992 to extend the deadline for retrofitting key stations with detectable warnings from July 26, 1993 to January 26, 1995 in order to give transit agencies additional time to test available products. The Department of Transportation received a substantial number of comments opposed to the extension. Many of the commenters were blind and visually impaired persons who mentioned numerous cases of individuals falling off platforms in various rail systems. During the rulemaking, there were also four reported incidents of blind persons falling off rapid rail station platforms in Boston, New York, and Baltimore, and a commuter rail station platform in Maryland. Three of these accidents were fatal. According to the Department of Transportation, there were no comments from any blind or visually impaired persons or organizations representing them that were opposed to detectable warnings on rail station platform edges. Based on the rulemaking record, the Department of Transportation issued a final rule in November 1993 reaffirming the safety need for detectable warnings on rail station platform edges and shortening the extension to July 26, 1994. CLOSING REMARKS Mr. PRICE. This has been very helpful today. We appreciate your being here and your straightforward answers. We look forward to working with you as we shape this budget request. Ms. HEUMANN. Thank you very much. Mr. PRICE. The subcommittee is adjourned. [The justification follows:] Offset Folios 1707 to 1721 Insert here United States Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 1331 F Street, NW Washington, DC 20004-1111 • 202-272-5434 (Voice) 202-272-5449 (TDD) • 202-272-5447 (FAX) U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board The Access Board Fiscal Year 1995 Budget Request March 1, 1994 The Access Board FISCAL YEAR 1995 BUDGET REQUEST This document presents the budget request of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) for fiscal year 1995. In accordance with the President's budget priorities, which the Board strongly supports, we are requesting a total of $3.244 million for fiscal year 1995. This level of funding would allow the Board to continue its basic programs at the current level in support of implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and enforcement of the Architectural Barriers Act. The Board is planning to fund its research program at $184,000. Since July 1990, when the ADA was signed into law, the Board's priorities have been, and in fiscal year 1995 will continue to be: Developing the ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG); Enforcing the Architectural Barriers Act. Beginning in fiscal year 1994, the Board initiated two additional programs in support of its priorities. A Public Communications Program has been created to coordinate and focus all of the Board's communications to its various customers to increase awareness of the Board's services to its customers. Additionally, the Board has embarked on a quality improvement program. By focusing on our customers and improving the quality of our services, we believe we can ultimately reduce our program and administrative costs. Developing the ADA Accessibility Guidelines In fiscal year 1995, the Board plans to conduct the following rulemaking to continue the development of ADAAG. (See Attachment A for a history of the Board's ADAAG rulemaking.) ADAAG for Recreation Facilities and Outdoor Developed Areas This rulemaking will establish accessibility guidelines for amusement parks; indoor and outdoor sports facilities; zoos and botanical gardens; playgrounds and related equipment; pools and other aquatic facilities; and parks, trails, and other outdoor developed areas. An advisory committee composed of representatives of disability organizations; the recreation industry; and Federal, State and local governments was established in July 1993 to advise the Board on issues related to making these facilities and areas readily accessible to and useable by individuals with disabilities. The advisory committee is expected to present a report to the Board in July 1994. The Board plans to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in fiscal year 1995 with recommended guidelines based on the report. ADAAG for Children's Environments This rulemaking will establish accessibility guidelines for day care centers; nursery, preschool, kindergarten, elementary and other school programs; children's museums; and other children's environments. The Board published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on |