In the development of low floor buses, with the needs of the mobility-handicapped particularly in mind, the author considers that the optimum utilisation of the low floored solution is a long term aim and concentrates on what can be achieved with existing technologies. Based on surveys of low floored buses in use in Germany, a number of basic requirements for low floored buses are identified. Aspects considered include: area of use, access, floor profile, seats, doors, kneeling (a mechanism to lower the righthand side of the bus), special access for wheelchair-bound passengers, people with prams, and the height of external mirrors. Versions of the low floor bus based on the standard SL II are described and illustrated. Details are given of step and ramp arrangements, floor heights and doors. Two- and three-axle type buses are described. The use of bus stops with raised platforms are discussed and guidelines suggested for their design.
Samenvatting