Norman Bowers  July 7, 2002

Please accept this email as my comments on the proposed accessibility guidelines for public rights-of-way.
 
Section 1103.7 concerning gaps at railroad rails.  I do not disagree with the current proposal of up to 3" for freight trains.  I think this issue and some others such as surface roughness could be better addressed by changing wheelchair specifications rather than from the facilities specifications.  For instance requiring wheelchairs with front  wheels that can be locked straight when crossing any gap. 
 
Wheel chairs are way behind the times and could be designed to accommodate for many issues that are now being addressed from the facilities angle.
 
Norman Bowers

 

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