Guidelines on Platform Design
These Amtrak Guidelines on Platform Design are based on two foundations: first and fundamentally, the statutory provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act ("ADA") and the current regulations promulgated under the ADA; second, to the extent consistent with that statutory and regulatory scheme, the best engineering practices of track and platform design at railroad stations. These Amtrak Guidelines are intended to provide assistance to entities inquiring about design parameters for platforms at Amtrak-served stations. These guidelines will ultimately be included in Amtrak’s station manual: Station Program & Planning—Standards and Guidelines.
A.
Instructions to Entities Seeking Advice on the Design of Amtrak Platforms
• Questions concerning these Guidelines should be addressed to John Bennett, Assistant Vice President for Policy, Standards, and Business Integration and Chief of Amtrak’s Stations/ Program Development team. He may be reached at (202) 906-2114 or at
[email protected].
• Technical details on design should be addressed to Joe Rago, Senior Director Stations and Facilities Engineering Structures, at (215) 349-2120 or at
[email protected].
• All platform designs should be in compliance with the ADA statutory and regulatory requirements referenced in Section B below.
• All new platforms served by Amtrak along the Northeast Corridor (and select others as designated by Amtrak) should be constructed at a height of 48” above top of rail (ATR), offset by 5’ 7” from center line of track on tangent sections.
• All new platforms served by Amtrak along other right-of-way should be constructed at a height of 8” ATR, offset by 5’1” from center line of track on tangent sections.
• Questions regarding the appropriate platform heights for particular stations should be addressed to Amtrak (John Bennett) for resolution.
• Platform edges adjacent to track bordering a drop-off must have a detectable warning consistent with ADA requirements. Such detectable warnings shall contrast visually with adjacent surfaces, be 24 inches (610 mm) wide, and run the full length of the public use areas of the platform.
• Design plans should be coordinated with Amtrak and should anticipate the use of one or more of the following assistive boarding devices as provided for in the ADA regulations:
...o Car-borne or platform-mounted wheelchair lifts;
...o Ramps or bridge plates; or
...o Mini-high platforms. (Note, the placement of the mini-high platforms should not have the effect of channeling passengers into a narrow space between the face of the higher-level platform and the edge of the lower platform, since this may place passengers uncomfortably close to moving trains.)
• For platforms served by Amtrak that are located along a host railroad, the design standards of that host railroad should normally be followed. Any inconsistencies with Amtrak’s standards should be brought to the attention of Amtrak and will be reconciled by Amtrak, working with the host railroad.
• With respect to platform length, Amtrak generally supports full train length platform design, but will consider options based on individual conditions. Amtrak will make the final determination on platform length after consultation with stakeholders.
• Amtrak will coordinate the review of plans, when necessary, with the FRA or other DOT agency in accordance with the provisions of the Amtrak-FRA grant agreement and will inform the entity designing the platform of the views of any agency consulted.
• Amtrak Engineering will review the plans and specifications for new or renovated platforms to verify compliance with Amtrak’s technical standards, which standards are consistent with the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) standards.
• Plans and specifications should be forwarded to Amtrak’s Engineering Department (Mark Wurpel, Sr. Director, Program Development and Planning, Engineering 215- 349-1127)
[email protected] for distribution among engineering disciplines for review and approval.
B.
The Americans with Disabilities Act Statute and Regulations
Entities should familiarize themselves with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) statutory requirements found at 42 USC § 12162(e) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s regulations found at 49 CFR Parts 37 and 38. All Amtrak-served stations within the United States (other than flag stops) must be made accessible to passengers with disabilities by July 26, 2010.
With respect to platform requirements, the ADA and implementing regulations generally provide as follows:
• Platforms must be “readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs.”
• At stations with raised platforms, there may be a gap of no more than 3” horizontal and 5/8” vertical between platform edge and entrance to the rail car (recognizing, however, that it is very unlikely that commuter and intercity rail operators can meet this requirement).
• Where it is not operationally or structurally feasible to meet such gap requirements, assistive boarding devices (e.g., ramps or bridge plates, car-borne or platform mounted lifts, mini-high platforms) are permissible means to accommodate passengers with disabilities. Regulatory approval is not required.
• Platform length is not mandated by the ADA.
• Low level platforms must be 8” (205 mm) minimum ATR, although lower levels are permissible where vehicles are boarded from sidewalks or at street level.
