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TCRP Research Report 249 Transit Cooperative Research Program Sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration Bus Operator Barrier Design GUIDELINES AND CONSIDERATIONS
TCRP OVERSIGHT AND PROJECT TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD 2024 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE* SELECTION COMMISSION* CHAIR OFFICERS Jeanne Krieg Chair: Carol A. Lewis, Professor, Transportation Studies, Texas Southern University, Houston Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority (retired) Vice Chair: Leslie S. Richards, General Manager, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority VICE CHAIR (SEPTA), Philadelphia Jameson Auten Executive Director: Victoria Sheehan, Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC Lane Transit District MEMBERS SECRETARY/TREASURER Ryan I. Daniel Michael F. Ableson, CEO, Arrival AutomotiveâNorth America, Detroit, MI St. Cloud Metro Bus James F. Albaugh, President and CEO, The Boeing Company (retired), Scottsdale, AZ Carlos M. Braceras, Executive Director, Utah Department of Transportation, Salt Lake City IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Douglas C. Ceva, Vice President, Customer Lead Solutions, Prologis, Inc., Jupiter, FL Doran J. Barnes Nancy Daubenberger, Commissioner of Transportation, Minnesota Department of Transportation, St. Paul Foothill Transit Marie Therese Dominguez, Commissioner, New York State Department of Transportation, Albany MEMBERS Garrett Eucalitto, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Transportation, Newington Andrea Burnside Chris T. Hendrickson, Hamerschlag University Professor of Engineering Emeritus, Carnegie Mellon Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority University, Pittsburgh, PA Julia Castillo Randell Iwasaki, President and CEO, Iwasaki Consulting Services, Walnut Creek, CA Heart of Iowa Transit Authority Ashby Johnson, Executive Director, Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO), Austin, TX April Chan Joel M. Jundt, Secretary of Transportation, South Dakota Department of Transportation, Pierre San Mateo County Transit District Hani S. Mahmassani, W.A. Patterson Distinguished Chair in Transportation; Director, Transportation Desmond Cole Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Center, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL Authority Scott C. Marler, Director, Iowa Department of Transportation, Ames Carolyn Flowers Ricardo Martinez, Adjunct Professor of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, InfraStrategies LLC Decatur, GA David Harris Michael R. McClellan, Vice President, Strategic Planning, Norfolk Southern Corporation, Atlanta, GA New Mexico Department of Transportation Russell McMurry, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Transportation, Atlanta Tim Healy Craig E. Philip, Research Professor and Director, VECTOR, Department of Civil and Environmental Sound Transit Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN Brendon Hemily Hemily and Associates Steward T.A. Pickett, Distinguished Senior Scientist, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, NY Vince Huerta Susan A. Shaheen, Professor and Co-director, Transportation Sustainability Research Center, University of East Texas Council of Governments California, Berkeley Joseph Leader Marc Williams, Executive Director, Texas Department of Transportation, Austin HDR Benjamin Limmer EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Connecticut Department of Transportation Bacarra Mauldin Michael R. Berube, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Sustainable Transportation, U.S. Department Memphis Area Transit Authority of Energy, Washington, DC Jessica Mefford-Miller Shailen Bhatt, Administrator, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Valley Metro Washington, DC Raymond Melleady Amit Bose, Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration, Washington, DC USSC Group Tristan Brown, Deputy Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Brad Miller Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC Elizabeth Presutti Steven Cliff, Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board, Sacramento Charlotte Area Transit System Rand Ghayad, Senior Vice President, Association of American Railroads, Washington, DC Catherine Rinaldi LeRoy Gishi, Chief, Division of Transportation, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, MTA Metro North Railroad, NY Germantown, MD Jeffrey Rosenberg William H. Graham, Jr. (Major General, U.S. Army), Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Amalgamated Transit Union Emergency Operations, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC Bernard Schmidt Robert C. Hampshire, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, U.S. Department of NextEra Energy Justin Stuehrenberg Transportation, Washington, DC Madison Metro Transit Zahra âNilooâ Parvinashtiani, Engineer, Mobility Consultant Solutions, Iteris Inc., Fairfax, VA, and Chair, Frank White, III TRB Young Members Coordinating Council Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Sophie Shulman, Deputy Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, DC Kimberly J. Williams Karl Simon, Director, Transportation and Climate Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County Washington, DC Nigel H.M. Wilson Paul P. Skoutelas, President and CEO, American Public Transportation Association, Washington, DC MIT Polly Trottenberg, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC EX OFFICIO MEMBERS Jim Tymon, Executive Director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Shailen Bhatt Washington, DC FHWA Veronica Vanterpool, Acting Administrator, Federal Transit Administration, Washington, DC Victoria Sheehan Michael Whitaker, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, TRB Washington, DC Paul P. Skoutelas Vinn White, Deputy Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Washington, DC APTA Jim Tymon AASHTO Veronica Vanterpool FTA TOPS COMMISSION STAFF ADVISOR Arthur L. Guzzetti APTA SECRETARY Monique R. Evans TRB * Membership as of August 2024. * Membership as of August 2024.
TRANSIT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM TCRP RESEARCH REPORT 249 Bus Operator Barrier Design GUIDELINES AND CONSIDERATIONS Andrew Krum Scott Tidwell Joshua Skole Erin Mabry Aditi Manke Tarah Crowder Virginia Tech Transportation Institute Blacksburg, VA Christy Campoll RLS & Associates, Inc. Dayton, OH Subject Areas Public Transportation ⢠Design ⢠Vehicles and Equipment Research sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration in cooperation with the American Public Transportation Association 2024
TRANSIT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM TCRP RESEARCH REPORT 249 The nationâs growth and the need to meet mobility, environmental, Project C-25 and energy objectives place demands on public transit systems. Cur- ISSN 2572-3782 rent systems, some of which are old and in need of upgrading, must ISBN 978-0-309-71008-4 expand service area, increase service frequency, and improve efficiency © 2024 by the National Academy of Sciences. National Academies of to serve these demands. Research is necessary to solve operating prob- Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the graphical logo are trade- lems, adapt appropriate new technologies from other industries, and marks of the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved. introduce innovations into the transit industry. The Transit Coopera- tive Research Program (TCRP) serves as one of the principal means by which the transit industry can develop innovative near-term solutions to meet demands placed on it. COPYRIGHT INFORMATION The need for TCRP was originally identified in TRB Special Report Authors herein are responsible for the authenticity of their materials and for obtaining 213âResearch for Public Transit: New Directions, published in 1987 written permissions from publishers or persons who own the copyright to any previously and based on a study sponsored by the Urban Mass Transportation published or copyrighted material used herein. Administrationânow the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). A Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) grants permission to reproduce material in this report by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), publication for classroom and not-for-profit purposes. Permission is given with the Transportation 2000, also recognized the need for local, problem- understanding that none of the material will be used to imply TRB, AASHTO, APTA, FAA, FHWA, FTA, GHSA, or NHTSA endorsement of a particular product, method, or practice. solving research. TCRP, modeled after the successful National Coop- It is expected that those reproducing the material in this document for educational and erative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), undertakes research not-for-profit uses will give appropriate acknowledgment of the source of any reprinted or and other technical activities in response to the needs of transit ser- reproduced material. For other uses of the material, request permission from CRP. vice providers. The scope of TCRP includes various transit research fields including planning, service configuration, equipment, facilities, Cover figure: A computer-assisted drawing model image of a barrier. Image courtesy of researchers from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI). operations, human resources, maintenance, policy, and administrative practices. TCRP was established under FTA sponsorship in July 1992. Pro- posed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, TCRP was authorized NOTICE as part of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 The research report was reviewed by the technical panel and accepted for publication (ISTEA). On May 13, 1992, a memorandum agreement outlining TCRP according to procedures established and overseen by the Transportation Research Board operating procedures was executed by the three cooperating organi- and approved by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. zations: FTA; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and The opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this report are those of the Medicine, acting through the Transportation Research Board (TRB); researchers who performed the research and are not necessarily those of the Transporta- and APTA. APTA is responsible for forming the independent govern- tion Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; or the program sponsors. ing board, designated as the TCRP Oversight and Project Selection (TOPS) Commission. The Transportation Research Board does not develop, issue, or publish standards or spec- Research problem statements for TCRP are solicited periodically but ifications. The Transportation Research Board manages applied research projects which provide the scientific foundation that may be used by Transportation Research Board may be submitted to TRB by anyone at any time. It is the responsibility sponsors, industry associations, or other organizations as the basis for revised practices, of the TOPS Commission to formulate the research program by identi- procedures, or specifications. fying the highest priority projects. As part of the evaluation, the TOPS The Transportation Research Board; the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Commission defines funding levels and expected products. Medicine; and the sponsors of the Transit Cooperative Research Program do not endorse Once selected, each project is assigned to an expert panel appointed products or manufacturers. Trade or manufacturersâ names or logos appear herein solely by TRB. The panels prepare project statements (requests for propos- because they are considered essential to the object of the report. als), select contractors, and provide technical guidance and counsel throughout the life of the project. The process for developing research problem statements and selecting research agencies has been used by TRB in managing cooperative research programs since 1962. As in other TRB activities, TCRP project panels serve voluntarily without compensation. Because research cannot have the desired effect if products fail to reach the intended audience, special emphasis is placed on disseminat- ing TCRP results to the intended users of the research: transit agen- cies, service providers, and suppliers. TRB provides a series of research reports, syntheses of transit practice, and other supporting material Published research reports of the developed by TCRP research. APTA will arrange for workshops, train- TRANSIT COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM ing aids, field visits, and other activities to ensure that results are imple- mented by urban and rural transit industry practitioners. are available from TCRP provides a forum where transit agencies can cooperatively National Academies Press address common operational problems. TCRP results support and 500 Fifth Street, NW, Keck 360 Washington, DC 20001 complement other ongoing transit research and training programs. (800) 624-6242 and can be ordered through the Internet by going to https://nap.nationalacademies.org Printed in the United States of America
The National Academy of Sciences was established in 1863 by an Act of Congress, signed by President Lincoln, as a private, non- governmental institution to advise the nation on issues related to science and technology. Members are elected by their peers for outstanding contributions to research. Dr. Marcia McNutt is president. The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to bring the practices of engineering to advising the nation. Members are elected by their peers for extraordinary contributions to engineering. Dr. John L. Anderson is president. The National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) was established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences to advise the nation on medical and health issues. Members are elected by their peers for distinguished contributions to medicine and health. Dr. Victor J. Dzau is president. The three Academies work together as the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding in matters of science, engineering, and medicine. Learn more about the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine at www.nationalacademies.org. The Transportation Research Board is one of seven major program divisions of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The mission of the Transportation Research Board is to mobilize expertise, experience, and knowledge to anticipate and solve complex transportation-related challenges. The Boardâs varied activities annually engage about 8,500 engineers, scientists, and other transportation researchers and practitioners from the public and private sectors and academia, all of whom contribute their expertise in the public interest. The program is supported by state transportation departments, federal agencies including the component administrations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other organizations and individuals interested in the development of transportation. Learn more about the Transportation Research Board at www.TRB.org.
COOPERATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAMS CRP STAFF FOR TCRP RESEARCH REPORT 249 Monique R. Evans, Director, Cooperative Research Programs Waseem Dekelbab, Deputy Director, Cooperative Research Programs Gwen Chisholm Smith, Manager, Transit Cooperative Research Program Stephan A. Parker, Senior Program Officer (retired) Mariela Garcia-Colberg, Senior Program Officer Stephanie L. Campbell-Chamberlain, Senior Program Assistant Natalie Barnes, Director of Publications Heather DiAngelis, Associate Director of Publications TCRP PROJECT C-25 PANEL Field of Engineering of Vehicles and Equipment Desmond R. Cole, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Philadelphia, PA (Chair) Kathryn Sonja Boris, Community Transit, Seattle, WA Rebecca Frankhouser, King County Metro, Seattle, WA Mark Henry, Amalgamated Transit Union, Silver Springs, MD Danielle Julien, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1576, Everett, WA David A. Lee, First Transit, West Hartford, CT Colin Mulloy, HART, Tampa, FL Timothy Allan Witten, Blacksburg Transit, Blacksburg, VA Jamel El-Hamri, FTA Liaison Jeff Thompson, FTA Liaison Brian Thomas Alberts, APTA Liaison Lisa Callaghan Jerram, APTA Liaison Brian L. Sherlock, Amalgamated Transit Union Liaison AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The research team acknowledges the manufacturers and suppliers who provided critical engineer- ing feedback on the concept barrier configurations, including Gillig LLC, Thermo King, and SABIC. The engineering team at Gillig was also instrumental in providing the research team with a recent-generation transit bus vehicle computer model on which to demonstrate Barrier Concepts A and B.
FOREWORD By Mariela Garcia-Colberg Staff Officer Transportation Research Board TCRP Research Report 249: Bus Operator Barrier Design: Guidelines and Considerations gives information and guidance to transit agencies on designing, procuring, and installing bus operator barriers. The report will be of immediate use to transit agency leadership, staff, practitioners, and other stakeholder entities interested in the installation of bus operator barriers to safeguard transit operators and their passengers. Installing driver barriers in transit buses can help reduce the risk of assault. Assaults against transit workers pose a serious threat on many levels, including threatening the physical safety and emotional well-being of transit workers, endangering passengers, and lowering employee morale. The emotional effects of assault can deter transit employees from returning to work and passengers from using transit, affecting both schedule and revenue. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, additional concerns have arisen for bus drivers, including protection against direct exposure to the virus from passengers and overall air quality concerns. The objective of this research was to give public transportation agencies practical guidance on designing, procuring, and installing bus operator barriers to protect the health and safety of bus operators and the traveling public. The guidance produced was based on evaluation criteria and the performance measures of effective barrier types considering six different issues: assault prevention; air quality; operator comfort; vision impacts, including glare; access compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act; and emergency egress. TCRP Research Report 249: Bus Operator Barrier Design: Guidelines and Considerations presents information and research activities conducted to produce the guidance found in the report. The document is organized into four chapters: Introduction, Approach to Bus Operator Barrier Designs, Findings, and Conclusions. The research developed a target risk mitigation approach for three bus barrier concepts. The Approach to Bus Operator Barrier Designs chapter is organized into four sections: Survey on Transit Bus Barriers; Guidelines, Standards, and Previous Research; Design Criteria; and Design for Risk Mitigation. The Findings chapter of the report is organized into five sections: Survey Results, Barrier Designs, Requirement Matrix Concept Status, Risk Mitigation Evaluation, and Stakeholder Feedback and Considerations.
CONTENTS 1 Summary 7 Chapter 1 Introduction 9 Chapter 2 Approach to Bus Operator Barrier Designs 10 Survey on Transit Bus Barriers 10 Guidelines, Standards, and Previous Research 21 Design Criteria 22 Design for Risk Mitigation 27 Chapter 3 Findings 27 Survey Results 35 Barrier Designs 37 Requirement Matrix Concept Status 37 Risk Mitigation Evaluation 48 Stakeholder Feedback and Considerations 53 Chapter 4 Conclusions 55 References 57 Appendix A Design Criteria Matrix 120 Appendix B Bill of Materials
