Denise Andres

1
H. A. R. T.Handicapped Accessible Ramp for Trains

• Group 6
• Denise Andres
• Ryan Dickey
• Javed Khan
• Karolina Narczykiewicz
• Christina Schroepfer

2
Overview

• Problem Statement
• Current Process
• Project Objective
• Design Specifications

• Proposed Design Overview
• Safety Features
• Testing
• Conclusions

3
Problem Statement

• Gap between train car and station platform
• Difficulty for passengers
• Wheelchair, crutches
• Elderly, disabled
• Strollers
• Heavy luggage

4
Current Process
5
Project Objective

• Design and manufacture feasible and attractive
  ramp system to provide safe, quick, reliable
  access for passengers with special needs
• Automatically deployed ramp system integrated
  with train door opening

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Design SpecificationsNew Jersey Transit

• Comet 5 train center door
• Northeast Corridor Commuter Rail
• Vertical gap (0 inch- ½ inch)
• Horizontal gap (2 inch- 6 inch)
• Electromechanical door activation

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Design SpecificationsAmericans with Disabilities
Act

• Ramp should
• Support 300 lbs (lt 30 inch span)
• Be 30 inches wide
• Have no protrusions gt ¼ inch
• Have continuous, non-slip surface
• Vertical gaps lt 5/8 inch
• Horizontal gaps lt ½ inch

8
Design SpecificationsFederal Railroad
Administration

• Protrusions on ramp surface and train floor lt ½
  inch
• Visual and audible display when deployed
• Controls must be interlocked with train brakes,
  transmission, or door

9
Proposed Design Overview

• Mechanical System
• Ramp, Brackets
• Pneumatic System
• Cylinder, Circuit
• Electrical System
• Warning Light, Buzzer
• Safety System

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System Flowchart
Ramp in Closed position
Electrical system engaged
Signal to open train door
Pneumatic system engaged
Ramp is deployed
Ramp in Open position
Electrical system engaged
Signal to close train door
Pneumatic system engaged (reverse)
Ramp is retracted
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Mechanical System

• Ramp
• Stainless steel plate
• Strong and lightweight
• Corrosion resistant
• 30 wide x 11 long x 3/8 thick
• Non-slip surface, beveled edge
• Manual override

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Mechanical System

• Ramp brackets
• Stainless steel
• Connect ramp to threshold floor bracket via pivot
  pins
• Threshold floor bracket
• Stainless steel
• Attached to train threshold plate
• Main ramp support
• Additional support plate

13
Pneumatic System

• Pneumatic Cylinder
• Uses air pressure to pull ramp up and push down
• 4 inch stroke length
• 4-way directional valve

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Electrical System

• Warning tone/buzzer
• Rotating warning light
• Parallel connection to 12-Volt car battery

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Activation Circuit
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Safety Features

• Door remains closed if ramp fails
• Warning light, buzzer location
• Manual override

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Testing

• Reliability Test
• Deployment and retrieval trials 100 successful
• Repeatability Test
• Ramp lands in same spot 100/100 tests
• Time Study of Deployment
• Mean 1.84 seconds, no outliers

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Conclusions

• Provide easier access for all
• Children
• Elderly
• Strollers
• Rolling luggage
• Eliminate inconvenience for passengers requesting
  assistance
• Free conductor to serve other functions
• Reduce train delay

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Acknowledgements

• Al Bucantis, NJ Transit
• Noel Gunter, NJ Transit
• Yogesh Patel, NJ Transit
• Dr. Boucher, Rutgers University
• Dr. Basily, Rutgers University
• Joe Lippencott, Rutgers University

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Questions?