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Outreach -> Transportation Illinois Rural Transit Assistance Center
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where can I buy Seatbelt Cutters?
There are likely a number of vendors for this item, but here’s one that we know about: Tie Tech, Inc. Phone: (425) 743-5863 or Fax (425) 745-3934 Email: info@tietechinc.com
- Where I can get my agency’s brochure put into Braille?
Here are two sources:
Soyland Access to Independent Living (SAIL) Camille Caffarelli Contact: Marla Horizons for the Blind 2449 Federal Drive 2 North Williams Street Decatur, IL 62526 Crystal Lake, IL 60014 T: 800/358-8080 T: 815/444-8800 F: 866/415-0058 Camille@horizons-blind.org
- Are post-trip inspections necessary?
We feel they are necessary, but they are mandatory only for vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or more. The rule is explained in the following excerpt from the “Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Pocketbook” J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.:
§396.11 Driver vehicle inspection reports(s).
- Report required. Every motor carrier shall require its drivers to report, and every driver shall prepare a report in writing at the completion of each day’s work on each vehicle operated and the report shall cover at least the following parts and accessories:
- Service brakes including trailer brake connections
- Parking (hand) brake
- Steering mechanism
- Lighting devices and reflectors
- Tires
- Horn
- Windshield wipers
- Rear vision mirrors
- Coupling devices
- Wheels and rims
- Emergency equipment
- Report content. The report shall identify the vehicle and list any defect or deficiency discovered by or reported to the driver which would affect the safety of operation of the vehicle or result in its mechanical breakdown. If no defect or deficiency is discovered by or reported to the driver, the report shall so indicate. In all instances, the driver shall sign the report. On two-driver operations, only one driver needs to sign the driver vehicle inspection report, provided both drivers agree as to the defects or deficiencies identified. If a driver operates more than one vehicle during the day, a report shall be prepared for each vehicle operated.
- Corrective action. Prior to requiring or permitting a driver to operate a vehicle, every motor carrier or its agent shall repair any defect or deficiency listed on the driver vehicle inspection report which would be likely to affect the safety of operation of the vehicle.
- Every motor carrier or its agent shall certify on the original driver vehicle inspection report which lists any defect or deficiency that the defect or deficiency has been repaired or that repair is unnecessary before the vehicle is operated again.
- Every motor carrier shall maintain the original driver vehicle inspection report, the certification of repairs, and the certification of the driver’s review for three months from the date the written report was prepared.
- Exceptions. The rules in this section shall not apply to a private motor carrier of passengers (nonbusiness), a driveaway-towaway operation, or any motor carrier operating only one commercial motor vehicle.
- What is Medicaid?
Medicaid, Title XIX of the Social Security Act, is a medical assistance program jointly funded by states and the federal government for low income and disabled individuals and families. The Medicaid program pays for medical care, prescriptions, tests and nursing home care for eligible individuals. Even when payment for services is not a barrier, many poor people cannot access health services because they lack transportation for trips to and from appointments. Therefore, states are required to provide non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) to approved health services. Each state is responsible for designing and operating its own NEMT, and programs differ from state to state. For more information on the Medicaid program, including a list of State Medicaid contacts, visit the HCFA website. Useful resources on Medicaid transportation include:
- Online contact information for state Medicaid transportation contacts.
- Medicaid Transportation: Assuring Access to Health Care: A Primer for States, Health Plans, Providers and Advocates (Prepared by David Raphael for CTAA, January 2001, 100 pages, Cost: Free)
- Current trends in Medicaid spending from the Kaiser Foundation.
- If my drivers attend the RTAC-sponsored Defensive Driving, Emergency Procedures, and Passenger Assistance trainings will my insurance rates drop?
It should, but it depends upon your individual insurance carrier. We suggest your drivers attend all of the trainings, that you keep the attendance sheets and training certificates from those trainings, and consult your insurance agent about how documented driver trainings might affect your rates.
- Are passengers allowed to stand on the lift?
It depends on your agency’s policy. If your policy states that passengers are not allowed to stand on the lift, then no.
- What is the legal minimum strap requirement for strapping down wheelchairs?
Because there are no Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for wheelchairs used as seating in a motor vehicle, the SOWHAT* Committee, under the auspices of ANSI*/ RESNA* and ISO*, developed a voluntary industry standard. That industry standard is commonly known as "WC/19"*. WC/19 addresses issues of wheelchair design and performance related to its use as seating in a motor vehicle, such as a bus or van. WC/19's purpose is to improve the safety and security of wheelchair-seated occupants of motor vehicles during normal transportation, but especially in the event of a vehicle crash. Therefore, WC/19-compliant wheelchairs, or "transit" wheelchairs, are equipped with an array of features, such as anchor points for securing the wheelchair to the frame of the bus or van and an attachment point for occupant restraints to protect the safety of the wheelchair occupant. Labeling and documentation are also an important part of the WC/19 standard.
That being said, WC-19 requires that a wheelchair provide for securement using a four-point, strap-type securement system for reasons of compatibility between "in-vehicle securement systems and wheelchair securement points”.
Glossary of Abbreviations:
- SOWHAT -- Subcommittee on Wheelchairs and Transportation
- ANSI -- American National Standards Institute
- RESNA -- Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America
- ISO -- International Standardization Organization
- WC/19 -- Section 19 of ANSI/RESNA WC/Volume 1: Wheelchairs for Use in Motor Vehicles
- Are CDL-licensed drivers required to stop at railroad crossings (the same as school bus drivers)?
It depends. Under the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) 625 5/11-1204:
Certain vehicles must stop at all grade crossings. (a) The driver of any of the following vehicles shall, before crossing a railroad track or tracks at grade, stop such vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail and while stopped, shall listen and look for the approach of a train and shall not proceed until such movement can be made with safety:
- Any second division* vehicle carrying passengers for hire;
- Any school bus carrying a school child;
- Any other vehicle which is required by Federal or State law to be placarded when carrying as a cargo hazardous material as defined in the “Illinois Hazardous Materials Act.”1 After stopping as required in this Section, the driver shall proceed only in a gear not requiring a change in gears during the crossing, and the driver shall not shift gears while crossing the track or tracks.
1430 ILCS 30/1 et .seq.
*According to 625 ILCS 5/1-146 second division refers to those motor vehicles which are designed for carrying more than 10 persons, those motor vehicles designed or used for living quarters, those motor vehicles which are designed for pulling or carrying freight, cargo or implements of husbandry, and those motor vehicles of the First Division, remodeled for use and used as motor vehicles of the Second Division.
- What can I do to satisfy the IDOT Alcohol and Drug Testing training requirement?
RTAC has two videos available which will satisfy the compliance requirements for both drivers and supervisors. Call WIU’s Audio Visual Department at 309-298-2417 to rent – free of charge – videotapes TRS V-079 and TRS V-080.
- Do I have to transport a scooter?
Yes, if the scooter meets the physical specifications of a common wheelchair as defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ADA regulations.
