The Auto Alliance has issued a report summarizing findings and recommendations emerging from a series of workshops held to explore accessibility needs and possible solutions for people with disabilities and older adults. Major recommendations contained in the report included:
- Increased collaboration will be needed.
- Industry best practices should be established.
- Vehicle manufacturers and AV developers should seek input from people with disabilities during their design process.
- Vehicle manufacturers and AV developers should provide training opportunities for their engineers regarding inclusive and accessible design.
- US DOT should work to publish guidance to help companies navigate the current legal and regulatory framework.
- Additional research should be performed and serve as the basis to develop wheelchair tiedown and occupant restraint systems (WTORS) for high-g applications that can be used independently by the wheelchair user and that accommodate many types of vehicles and wheelchairs.
- With input from relevant research efforts, interested vehicle and wheelchair manufacturers should develop standards that address some of the current WTORS limitations for wheelchair users.
- New policies or incentives should be explored regarding the insurance reimbursement for wheelchairs designed for in-vehicle use.
- Assess potential funding models, including the possibility of allocating federal public transit funds for accessible AV ridehailing beyond paratransit.
For a copy of the report, click here.
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