This project will assist in making bus systems, in particular bus stops, more accessible for individuals with disabilities. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires that design, construction, and additions are to be made in new and existing construction, to adhere to federal requirements for the ADA.
NIRPC staff members traveled throughout the region documenting and assessing each stop to develop an inventory of all bus stops. NIRPC and the transit operators will then work together to find solutions in taking steps to come closer to ADA compliance. This is a community-wide effort to improve the transit system and to ensure Northwestern Indiana is a better community for everyone.
This data will go even further than assisting transit operators in mapping and measuring the accessibility of their bus stops, but will also be shared with municipalities to assist in the development of their federally-required ADA Transition Plans. These plans are an important part of ensuring that municipalities can transition into complying with the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, NIRPC has secured funding to assist communities with projects related to the implementation of their locally-developed ADA Transition Plans. So during the next call for projects in Fall 2020, communities can utilize data from the bus inventory to apply to NIRPC for funding to implement improvements to make their communities accessible for everyone.
Currently, data is still being compiled and analyzed but community leaders and ADA Coordinators should expect access to the data after the start of the New Year.