§12185 Study

Summary

The Office of Technology Assessment must study how people with disabilities can get onto and use long-distance buses, and find the most cost‑effective ways to make those buses and services accessible, especially for people who use wheelchairs and for different boarding methods. The study must look at expected demand; how accessible current buses and services are (including services required by sections 12184(b)(4) and 12186(a)(2)); how well different accessibility methods work; the costs, including new technology that might save money; possible bus design changes such as adding accessible restrooms without losing seats; and how accessibility rules might affect the continuation of bus service, especially in rural areas. The Office must set up an advisory committee made up of equal numbers of private bus operators/manufacturers and riders with disabilities (especially wheelchair users), plus technical experts (including makers of boarding equipment). The number of operator and rider members together must be greater than the number of technical experts. The final study and recommendations must be sent to the President and Congress within 36 months after July 26, 1990. If the President finds that meeting the deadlines in section 12186(a)(2)(B) would significantly cut intercity bus service, the President must extend each such deadline by 1 year. Before finishing the study, the Office must give a draft to the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (under section 792 of title 29). Any written comments the Board sends within 120 days must be included in the final report.