Autonomous Vehicles and Paratransit: Examining the Protective Framework of the Americans with Disabilities Act

An enormous amount of potential is bound within the autonomous vehicle domain; the potential for increased efficiency, safety, environmental benefits, and ultimately a more equitable transportation system. However, none of these benefits are inevitable. The design, planning, policy, and implementation frameworks that surround the introduction of these technologies will be crucial in determining the benefits realized and who realizes those benefits. One area where particular attention will be needed is paratransit. Providing transit service to users with disabilities is required under federal law since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. ADA has provided the protective framework for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of public life since that time. This paper will assess the current status quo in terms of both autonomous vehicle (AV) testing and regulation, current paratransit service, as well as assess ADA’s adaptability and applicability in an autonomous future. Due to ADA’s struggle to adapt to the latest advances in transportation technologies, such as ride hailing, this paper recommends updates to ADA as well as the passage of AV legislation with accessibility in mind. Additionally, lessons can be learned from ongoing AV pilots that could determine accessible design standards. These standards and legislation should integrate current frameworks surrounding autonomy, such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Levels of Automation and consider the public and private entities involved in the design, planning, and policy processes. AVs have great potential, but in order to harness that potential, effective policies and regulatory frameworks are required that address equity and accessibility issues for users with disabilities.