Bottom line: Big bottoms could mean public transit changes
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by Aimee Keenan-Greene
The obesity epidemic in the U.S. could lead the government to cut the number of passengers on public transportation until new safety changes can be implemented.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) wants to update its bus testing regulation to more accurately reflect the growing middle of America.
The current average passenger weight of 150 lbs would be increased to reflect a 175 lbs assumption.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calculates a mean average of 195 pounds for men and 165 pounds for women in the United States based on 2008 data.
The FTA is also proposing more elbow room in the aisle, changing the floor space occupied per standing passenger from 1.5 to 1.75 square feet.
They will also discuss updating the Structural Strength and Distortion test procedures, basically reinforcing the bus so it performs under fully loaded conditions.
The FTA says under the revised testing protocol, buses are ballasted with a fully loaded passenger complement of seated and standee passengers during the gross vehicle weight portion and with all seats filled during the seated load weight portion of the testing because it is essential to the purchaser in supporting acquisition decisions, developing preventive maintenance schedules, and budgeting for unscheduled maintenance.
In addition, the FTA says purchasing a vehicle appropriate for actual operating conditions will lessen premature structural fatigue and assist in avoiding catastrophic failures caused by overstressed and overworked structural and operational components, ensuring the availability of such vehicles for passenger service.
The FTA will accept feedback on the proposed changes until May 13, 2011.
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