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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 12185. Study
(a) Purposes
The Office of Technology Assessment shall undertake a study to
determine -
(1) the access needs of individuals with disabilities to
over-the-road buses and over-the-road bus service; and
(2) the most cost-effective methods for providing access to
over-the-road buses and over-the-road bus service to individuals
with disabilities, particularly individuals who use wheelchairs,
through all forms of boarding options.
(b) Contents
The study shall include, at a minimum, an analysis of the
following:
(1) The anticipated demand by individuals with disabilities for
accessible over-the-road buses and over-the-road bus service.
(2) The degree to which such buses and service, including any
service required under sections 12184(b)(4) and 12186(a)(2) of
this title, are readily accessible to and usable by individuals
with disabilities.
(3) The effectiveness of various methods of providing
accessibility to such buses and service to individuals with
disabilities.
(4) The cost of providing accessible over-the-road buses and
bus service to individuals with disabilities, including
consideration of recent technological and cost saving
developments in equipment and devices.
(5) Possible design changes in over-the-road buses that could
enhance accessibility, including the installation of accessible
restrooms which do not result in a loss of seating capacity.
(6) The impact of accessibility requirements on the
continuation of over-the-road bus service, with particular
consideration of the impact of such requirements on such service
to rural communities.
(c) Advisory committee
In conducting the study required by subsection (a) of this
section, the Office of Technology Assessment shall establish an
advisory committee, which shall consist of -
(1) members selected from among private operators and
manufacturers of over-the-road buses;
(2) members selected from among individuals with disabilities,
particularly individuals who use wheelchairs, who are potential
riders of such buses; and
(3) members selected for their technical expertise on issues
included in the study, including manufacturers of boarding
assistance equipment and devices.
The number of members selected under each of paragraphs (1) and (2)
shall be equal, and the total number of members selected under
paragraphs (1) and (2) shall exceed the number of members selected
under paragraph (3).
(d) Deadline
The study required by subsection (a) of this section, along with
recommendations by the Office of Technology Assessment, including
any policy options for legislative action, shall be submitted to
the President and Congress within 36 months after July 26, 1990. If
the President determines that compliance with the regulations
issued pursuant to section 12186(a)(2)(B) of this title on or
before the applicable deadlines specified in section 12186(a)(2)(B)
of this title will result in a significant reduction in intercity
over-the-road bus service, the President shall extend each such
deadline by 1 year.
(e) Review
In developing the study required by subsection (a) of this
section, the Office of Technology Assessment shall provide a
preliminary draft of such study to the Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board established under section
792 of title 29. The Board shall have an opportunity to comment on
such draft study, and any such comments by the Board made in
writing within 120 days after the Board's receipt of the draft
study shall be incorporated as part of the final study required to
be submitted under subsection (d) of this section.
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