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.