Enhancing the ADA

Experience

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The MV-1 – ADA enhanced by design 3 By Ryan Zemmer

About Mobility Ventures 4

TransitWorks innovates and improves upon ADA 6 By James Cermak

About TransitWorks 7

Contents

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The MV-1 – ADA enhanced by designBy Ryan Zemmer

As you may know, there isn’t any such department as the “ADA Police.” The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is law, and an individual or company could be charged for violating any of its statutes, but products aren’t necessarily required to go under investigation or approval before being implemented into service. Manufacturers can only reference the ADA guidelines to ensure their product(s) meets the requirements set forth, and look to incorporate the principles of universal design. During design stages for the MV-1, every line item of the Americans with Disabilities Act was scoured to ensure that the vehicle facilitated every requirement that could even remotely apply to the day-to-day function of the vehicle. The U.S Access Board was also contacted to ensure any proposed future enhancements to the law were also taken into consideration. By placing accessibility at the forefront of design, the MV-1 was literally built around accommodating an occupant in a mobility aid.

The experience begins with a proprietary in-floor ramp that is illuminated for safety in day or night operations. All deployments of the ramp exceed the ADA guidelines for slope, feature guardrails to keep mobility aids on course, and aggressive texturing that ensures a slip-free surface for all passengers. Once inside, the spacious MV-1 interior provides plenty of room to position a mobility device while also allowing ample space for a transit operator to secure the passenger with the integrated Q’Straint restraints. Passengers often comment about how much they love the dignified ability to sit in the front of the vehicle, rather than back in the luggage compartment with the spare tire. This seating location also provides a wonderful ride quality for the passenger as they are located between the suspension systems, rather than directly above the rear axle. Additionally the passenger can enjoy a great view and ease of communication with their driver. You can read about some first-hand experiences with the MV-1 here.

In addition to accessibility, the overall user experience is also enhanced by the safety and durability of the vehicle. Mobility Ventures is America’s newest car manufacturer, and as such we are required to complete the same certifications as all of the other major

The MV-1 experience begins with a proprietary in-floor ramp that is illuminated for safety in day or night operations.

Designs and considerations incorporated into the MV-1 make it an ideal accessible transportation solution.

The MV-1 interior provides plenty of room to position a mobility device while also allowing ample space for a transit operator to secure passengers.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). In addition to punishing fleet durability testing designed by a third party, the MV-1 must also complete the entire crash test program and be fully certified by FMVSS, NHTSA, DOT, CARB, and EPA. It’s a fully compliant 50-state certified accessible solution. All of these certifications boil down to the peace of mind that users are being transported in one of, if not the safest solution for accessible transportation.

I could go on and on about the various designs and considerations that were incorporated into the MV-1 to make it an ideal accessible transportation solution, but I would prefer to allow our clients to speak on our behalf. Thousands of MV-1’s have been implemented with great success around the United States and Canada, and we would love to share their story with you. For more information, please visit www.mv-1.us or email Marketing@mv-1.us.

Ryan Zemmer is marketing manager for Mobility Ventures, South Bend, IN, manufacturer of the MV-1 vehicle. Please visit www.mv-1.us to discover what the versatile MV-1 can bring to your paratransit operation.

AboutMobility Ventures LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AM

General, is an American OEM making the MV-1. The MV-1 is the world’s first purpose-built and factory-produced mobility vehicle designed for universal accessibility.

With the development and production of the MV-1, Mobility Ventures is committed to increasing access and independence by providing thoughtfully-designed accessible vehicles to the commercial, fleet and consumer markets.

Please visit www.mv-1.us to discover what the versatile MV-1 can bring to your paratransit operation.

Mobility Ventures

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SAFETYFactory-built, from

the ground up, for universal and safe

wheelchair access.

RELIABILITY Built by AM General®

in the United States to the highest of

quality standards.

DIGNITYWheelchair users can

now ride in a more safe and comfortable

position.

AFFORDABILITYValue through

quality service and support at a com-

petitive price.

SAFETY FIRST, NOT LAST

REVOLUTIONIZING PASSENGER SAFETY

Visit MV-1.US or call 877-681-3678

It’s a completely new concept that has been a long time coming: build a wheelchair accessible vehicle from the ground up that is designed for commercial fleet use. It’s time to look to the future with a vehicle that can withstand the rigors of transit environments. Take a tour of the Mobility Ventures® MV-1® and see how we’re revolutionizing passenger safety in accessible fleet transportation.

The MV-1 is the only mobility vehicle that is not modified after-market and is fully crash-tested to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

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TransitWorks innovates and improves upon ADA

TransitWorks has been dedicated to building vehicles for transporting of passengers in wheelchairs since our start in 1997. Over that time, we have built over 10,000 ADA vehicles, and we constantly work to upgrade and innovate for passenger comfort and safety.

At TransitWorks, we look to design and build vehicles that move all people – whether they walk on or wheel on – and transport those people with equal comfort and safety.

First and foremost, the safety of the passengers is our top concern at TransitWorks. Over the past 10 years, we have invested nearly $1 million to ensure passenger and driver safety through vehicle and seat safety testing, engineering, vehicle modifications and new product development. We would never release a vehicle until it meets appropriate FMVSS, OEM and ADA specifications. This takes not only money, but considerable time, expertise and dedication as well.

Our most significant innovation has been the exclusive SmartFloor flexible flooring system. SmartFloor allows for the movement of seats to change layouts – and this means that the van will always be able to accommodate the mix of passengers whether ambulatory or in wheelchairs. With traditional fixed seating, transporting multiple people in wheelchairs may have meant making multiple trips and having people wait for their turn. With SmartFloor, additional wheelchair positions can be created in seconds by removing a few seats, and then the seats can be put back for more ambulatory passengers.

The SmartFloor system makes our vans flexible enough to fit

anything from smaller, basic wheelchairs to larger, more complex scooters. TransitWorks only uses

the leading wheelchair securement systems from companies like Q’Straint and AMF Bruns, and

these will also work with all varieties of wheelchairs and scooters.

The SmartFloor seats can also be moved forward or back in 1 inch increments to allow for more leg room at a moment’s notice. So drivers can make a quick adjustment and have a seat moved

up so the back is not pressing into the feet of a wheelchair passenger. Each seat has been ergonomically designed for safety and comfort with

integrated three-point seat belts no matter where the seat is located

or moved to in the van.TransitWorks has four full-time engineers on staff

who are continually working on new products and improvements – many of which come from suggestions made by our customers. Customized grab handles, special LED lighting on the steps and in the passenger area, and tech features like onboard Wi-Fi, USB charging ports and DVD monitors make for a wonderful passenger experience.

In addition, we work closely with engineers, product designers and vehicle specialists at Ford, Ram/Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz. We do this to ensure that not only is everything we do compliant with the original manufacturer requirements and specifications, but also to ensure that the ride experience of passengers and drivers is consistent or better than the original.

Lastly, all Transitworks upfits meet ADA regulations, with ample entryway and seating dimensions to ensure passengers have plenty of room to safely enter and exit the vehicle, and travel in comfort.

The bottom line is this – at TransitWorks we go to great lengths to ensure each passenger’s experience in our vehicles – in wheelchairs and out – is one of comfort, convenience and safety.

TransitWorks works closely with engineers, product designers and vehicle specialists at manufacturers like Ford, to ensure not only that vehicles like TransitWorks Ford Transit are compliant with OEM requirements, but also that the ride experience of passengers and drivers is consistent or better than the original.

By James Cermak

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A History of Quality & LeadershipTransitWorks is the country’s leading builder of commercial

shuttles, transporters, mobility vans and small buses. With three manufacturing facilities in Ohio and Kansas, TransitWorks is building and shipping innovative transit vehicles throughout North America. We are a pool for Ford and Ram, a Ford QVM builder, and a Mercedes-Benz Master Upfitter.

Every Vehicle Safety TestedTransitWorks has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in

crash tests, seat pull tests, and other safety testing to ensure the safety and security of our customers and their customers.

• Vehicles are compliant with FMVSS, OEM and ADA standards• Upfits come with a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty

Innovative Solutions for Moving PeopleBringing the most innovative solutions to the Transit industry

to create safer, more flexible, more efficient and more cost effective vehicles.

• SmartFloor – exclusive and patented flooring system allows easy movement of seats practically anywhere in the vehicle, and gives over 1,000 potential seating configurations.

• Bus Doors – walk-in bus door entries save money on upfit and fuel economy over traditional cutaways.

• Dedicated Product Development Staff constantly working on new products and solutions

• Ship thru on Ford Transit can save thousands on shipping costs

• Dedicated Fleet and Bid Departments to meet your needs

About TransitWorks

www.Transit-Works.com

Easy to maneuver on city streets, through traffic and parking lots, comfortable to drive, and sips fuel like a car. Plus with our exclusive SmartFloor, you can move, add and remove seats as you need—change seating layouts in minutes, even multiple times per day. Remote operates bus door from inside or outside the bus. Wheelchair accessible options available.

www.Transit-Works.com

Call Today for Information 855-337-9578

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