Passenger Access in Rail Applications

APTA standards cover the requirements for doors and door systems, including HMI design. The door system includes a door control station to provide control of the powered side doors for passenger entry and exit, or other doors on the rail car with connection via trainline control systems to other cars. The control station requires crew key access to prevent unauthorized access. The key remains captured during operation; if removed, the doors are prohibited from opening and closing.

Each door is provided with a service-proven obstruction detection feature. The door control is arranged so that any obstruction is sensed throughout the closing cycle until the door is fully closed and locked. Recycling of the open/close sequence continues as long as the obstruction is detected. Door operators and controls are considered safety critical functions. An emergency release actuation device is provided immediately adjacent to the door opening on both interior and exterior. The actuation device is covered by a clearly labeled, breakable or hinged panel, to reduce nuisance operations. The device must be readily accessible, without the use of tools or other implements, as per 49 CFR Part 238, (Rail) Passenger Equipment Safety Standards.

Visible and audible door status indicators are part of the HMI System and are incorporated into the door control station to display the open or closed status of the door. It is also common for these door motion status indicators to be located overhead. Door-out-of-service (DOOS) indication is also required and is usually a blind front, hidden until lit, indicator that displays the DOOS status by illuminating the text or door symbol with a red "X" through the symbol.

Buy America

It is also important to be familiar with the Buy America Act that encourages and rewards using United States-serviced manufacturing. The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA) authorized the appropriation of funds to establish several new passenger rail grant programs, including capital investment to support intercity passenger rail service and high-speed corridor development, as well as eliminate roadway congestion. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) consolidated these and other related programs into the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) program, as funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The HSIPR program implements the 2009 "Vision for High-Speed Rail in America" and includes goals to bolster American passenger rail expertise and resources. Buy America requirements aid in encouraging development of domestic manufacturing locations.

Buy America applies to all PRIIA authorized spending and requires that all steel, iron, and manufactured goods used for stimulus-backed public works projects be produced in America. A component is any article, material, or supply, whether manufactured or un-manufactured, that is directly incorporated into an end product at the final assembly. A component is considered to be manufactured if there are sufficient activities taking place to advance the value or improve the condition of the subcomponents of that component. For a component to be considered of domestic origin, more than 60% of the subcomponents of that component must be of domestic origin. If this is not the case, a waiver must be obtained to be used in a public works project. A waiver can be obtained if:

Quality or quantity from United States based suppliers is insufficient;Cost of US-produced goods make the total project cost (not just the raw material costs) more than 25% above the cost if foreign goods are used;Previously existing trade agreements require interpretation.

Doors, door controls, and HMI Systems for door control are covered under the Buy America Act. Similar commercial stimulus programs exist in all major manufacturing regions in the world with the same goals as the Buy America program. According to data from the independent monitor Global Trade Alert (GTA), there were around 100 new discriminatory measures introduced per quarter in 2009. Ranked according to the absolute number of discriminatory measures imposed, the number of sectors affected by those measures, and the number of trading partners affected, the EU-27 topped the global ranking. However, this ranking needs to be put into context. The EU-27 also ranks second behind China as a target of other governments protectionist measures. The EU acts as a determined defender of its global trade interests. Canada, while not as active as the EU, still defended its national interests with vigor.