ATAC Meeting Minutes 9-27-12 - ripta

putting the vehicle in motion has fallen out of the system. Drivers are lackingcourtesy training. The ATAC suggested installing hanging handrails or straps onfixed-route buses, particularly in the front.Mark Therrien stated that RIPTA has changed how they purchase buses.Previously, mechanics were buying buses; passenger and driver concernsweren’t that important. Now, a supervisor and bus driver are involved in theprocess. The ATAC can have a more influential role in the decision process ofbuying a fixed-route bus. The ATAC favors the idea, but would prefer if morethan one person can be involved in that; each member has different accessibilitychallenges.Mark Therrien reported that RIPTA, in conjunction with the City of Providence,will be striping designated street sections as “bus only – no parking” areas. Thiswill allow RIPTA buses to easily access the curb in order to use the wheelchair liftor ramp, which is extremely important. As of today, RIPTA has only stripedstreets in Bristol. ATAC requested striping the bus stop in front of Newport CityHall. Mark Therrien stated that there is a RIDOT construction project in theworks for that.•Kennedy PlazaThe ATAC is concerned about safety issues in Kennedy Plaza.Mark Therrien stated that RIPTA is requesting increased police presence and theticketing of loiterers. There is programming in the park and food vendors todeter vandalism and illegal activities. RIPTA is constantly cleaning Kennedy Plazaand is currently renovating the public restrooms to make them less comfortableto loiter in. Soon RIPTA will launch a “Smoke Free in KP” campaign to detersmoking in the Plaza. Kennedy Plaza needs more policing, but it will take acommunity as a whole. It’s a difficult challenge for RIPTA and there is not oneanswer. RIPTA welcomes any insight you may have as to how to make KennedyPlaza a better and safer public space.•Passive Restraints for Wheelchair LiftsMark Therrien just returned from an educational trip to the Rapid Bus TransitConference in Las Vegas, Nevada where he learned about passive restraints forwheelchair lifts. Currently, three transit systems are equipped with passiverestraints for wheelchair lifts. This new restraint system for wheelchairs andmobile devices enables users to simply wheel into place without operatorassistance, greatly speeding up boarding time. The freedom of the passiverestraint system has been quite popular with the wheelchair community; driversno longer have to strap users in. Although users are facing backwards, they willnot fall forward. The passive restraint system is similar to a claw; it grabs a pieceof your chair and holds you there safely. This option will be presented to theATAC at a future date for discussion.4