Future airplanes must meet stricter accessibility standards, but not for years

Manufacturers and Airlines Given Over a Decade to Make Wheelchair-Accessible Bathrooms on Airliners

Under a new rule issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT) on Wednesday, manufacturers and airlines now have more than ten years to make bathrooms large enough for wheelchair users on the most common type of airliners. This rule specifically applies to new single-aisle planes that will be delivered twelve years from now. It does not require retrofitting existing planes with larger bathrooms. As a result, it may take several years for the expanded bathrooms to become commonplace on single-aisle jets.

Boeing, a leading aircraft manufacturer, aims to produce its popular single-aisle 737 MAX plane at a rate of 50 per year. However, the four major US airlines currently have hundreds of active planes in their fleets, with an average age ranging between 12 and 16 years.

Lavatory Requirements

The DOT highlights that accessible lavatories have long been mandatory on twin-aisle aircraft. The new rule specifies that the larger lavatory on single-aisle planes must be spacious enough for a disabled person and an aide to approach, enter, maneuver within, use all lavatory facilities, and leave comfortably. In addition to this requirement, airlines and manufacturers must meet other milestones for lavatories in the interim.

Milestones for Lavatories

1. Starting three years from now, new planes delivered must come equipped with grab bars and other accessible features.
2. Visual barriers for privacy must be installed in the lavatories.
3. Airlines have three years to improve the features of onboard wheelchairs.
4. Crew training must be enhanced to ensure better assistance to passengers with disabilities.
5. Accessibility markings need to be updated.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated earlier this month that the new rule aims to make airplane bathrooms larger and more accessible, providing wheelchair travelers with the same access and dignity as other passengers. The Biden administration is also actively working on additional changes to increase the accessibility of airplanes for individuals with disabilities.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities, as it aims to make airplane bathrooms more accessible for wheelchair users, ensuring equal access and dignity for all travelers. It is also connected to SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities, as it addresses the need for accessible lavatories on single-aisle planes. Additionally, it is connected to SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions, as the Department of Transportation rule aims to enforce accessibility requirements for airlines and manufacturers.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

• Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport.

• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are Target 10.2, which aims to promote the inclusion of all individuals, including those with disabilities, Target 11.2, which aims to provide accessible transport systems, and Target 16.7, which aims to ensure inclusive decision-making processes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.

• Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age and persons with disabilities.

• Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex, age, persons with disabilities and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service and judiciary) compared to national distributions.

The article does not explicitly mention indicators, but based on the identified targets, the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards those targets. Indicator 10.2.1 measures the proportion of people living below a certain income level, including persons with disabilities. Indicator 11.2.1 measures the proportion of the population with convenient access to public transport, including persons with disabilities. Indicator 16.7.1 measures the representation of different population groups, including persons with disabilities, in public institutions.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: kcra.com

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