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Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a new rule that calls on commuter, intercity and high-speed rail operators to better accommodate passengers with disabilities on station platforms.

USDOT has amended its Americans with Disabilities Act regulations to require operators that are building new or renovating existing stations to provide level-entry boarding at station platforms so passengers with disabilities can get on and off any car on a train.

At new or altered stations where track is shared with existing freight-rail operations, preventing rule compliance, passenger railroads will be able to choose from a variety of options — such as car-borne lifts, station-based lifts and mini-high platforms — to help passengers with disabilities board trains.