Universal Access Meeting Accessibility Requirements in Public Rights of Way

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Universal AccessMeeting Accessibility Requirements

in Public Rights of Way

Oklahoma City ADA Contractor CourseByDr. Tammy Sagastizado

First…►Take out a piece of paper and pen or

pencil►Relax and take a moment to think

about your typical day►From the moment you leave your

house or apartment, what do you need to do to get into and settled at your workplace ready to work?

►Write down as many of the steps as possible

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Individuals►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fv

Kp7voPkg&feature=related

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fvKp7voPkg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fvKp7voPkg&feature=related

BACKGROUND &

WHY ADA EMPHASIS/ CURRENT ISSUES

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Universal Access for All - ADA

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LAWS

GUIDANCE

American Barriers

Act (ABA)1968

Americans with Disabilities Act

1990

Special Report (PROWAC)

2007

Revised Draft Guidelines (PROWAC)

2005

ADA Standards for Accessible Design

1990

The Rehabilitation Act

1973

Draft Guidelines (PROWAC)

2002Minimum Guidelines and Requirements for

Accessible Design

1982

Uniform Federal Accessibility

Standards

1984

ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)

1991

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Background Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

– July 26, 1990– Applies to State and Local governments– Applies to private business that meet the

definition of “public accommodation”– Includes those that receive no federal financial

assistance – New construction and alterations


Background

ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)– July 1991 published– Sept. 1991 ADAAG for Transportation

Facilities– July 2004 update– Supplement in 2006/2007 (USDOT)

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Background Public Rights of Way Accessibility

Committee (PROWAC)– Established 1999– Develop recommendations on guidelines for accessible

public rights-of-way– Draft Guidelines, June 2002– Revised Draft Guidelines, Nov. 2005– Special Report: Planning and Designing for Alterations,

July 2007


Current Issues

• Lawsuits around the country– all public sidewalks accessible– 20Kinney vs. Yerusalim (1993)

Resurfacing considered alterationResurfacing projects require curb ramps

– Barden vs. City of Sacramento, CA (2004)Make % annual budget allocated to ADA

– Recent filing against CALTRAN

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Types of Pedestrians• Older Adults• Children• Mobility Impairment • Sensory and Cognitive Impairment • Veterans with Prosthetic Limbs• Other Medical Concerns

Disabilities

• http://www.stripes.com/news/x2-prosthetic-leg-now-offered-to-older-veterans-1.115257

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http://www.stripes.com/news/x2-prosthetic-leg-now-offered-to-older-veterans-1.115257



Disabilities

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG3ZDgVddZE

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG3ZDgVddZE



TERMINOLOGY

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Pedestrian Access Route• Sidewalk or paved shoulder.• Running slope may match roadway grade.• 2% cross slope required.

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Cross Slope

Steep cross slopes make the sidewalk difficult for a wheelchair to travel across.

FHWA Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access Part II of II

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Cross Slope

When cross slopes change rapidly over a short distance, the use of wheelchairs or other types of walking aids becomes extremely unstable.

FHWA Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access Part II of II

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NOT acceptable!

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Disabilities

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG3ZDgVddZE

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Running Slope• Allowed to match roadway grade when sidewalk

located parallel and adjacent to roadway.

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Running Slope

• The grade parallel to direction of travel. Sidewalk

Parallel Curb Ramp

PerpendicularCurb Building and

Facility Ramps

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Counter Slope Excessive slope

difference can cause a wheelchair to flip forward or backward.

FHWA Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access Part I of II

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Counter Slope

The gutter slopes counter to the slope of the curb ramp to promote drainage.


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Landing Area that needs to be Level (0 to 2% both directions)

Curb Ramps Building and Facility Ramps

Landing

LandingswL

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Detectable Warning Surface• Located at the bottom of ramp parallel to curb• Contrasting color

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Curb Ramp

Flare Flare

Level Landing

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Detectable Warning

Ramp

Gutter

RampCross Slope

Ramp Running Slope

Counter Slope

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Pedestrian Signal Button Location

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Building & Facility RampApplies to bridges, pedestrian bridges and undercrossings; sites such as rest areas, park and ride lots, transit facilities; shared-use paths and meandering pedestrian access routes (independent horizontal and vertical alignment from the roadway).

Running Slope

Landing

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Maximum Reach

Pedestrian signal button at controlled crossings.

FHWA Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access Part I of II WSDOT-ADA-Training

Detection Barrier

DETECTION BARRIER FORVERTICAL CLEARANCE <80”

When an obstruction of a height greaterthan 27” from the surface would create aprotrusion of more than 4” into thepedestrian circulation area, constructadditional curb or foundation at thebottom to provide a maximum 4” overhang.

Protruding objects of a height 27”are detectable by cane and do notrequire additional treatment.

>27"

27” M

AX

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DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

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Walking is the most fundamental form of transportation

Walkability takes into account the quality of pedestrian facilities, roadway conditions, land use patterns, community support, security and comfort for walking.

Land Use Setting• Community• Accessibility• Location of Destinations• Quality of Connections

Site Design• Pathways• Building Access ways• Related Facilities

• Street Design• Sidewalks• Crosswalks• Roadway Conditions

• Widths• Traffic Volumes• Traffic Speeds• Accessible Pedestrian Signals

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Physical Accessibility:Curbs, Walkways, and

Ramps ► Curb ramps must be provided wherever an accessible route

crosses a curb. Curb cuts MUST be kept clear of obstacles!

► Ground, walk, and floor surfaces along accessible routes are to be stable, firm, and slip-resistant under all weather conditions.

► The maximum slope of a ramp should be 1:12 or 1 inch of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal distance and have a landing with a 5 foot turning radius at the top and the bottom.

► Handrails on both sides are required on sidewalks and ramps with a vertical elevation rise greater than 6 inches or a horizontal run greater than 6 feet.

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A leaf? Multiple pours?What to do?

►http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrW_TTxP1ow


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrW_TTxP1ow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrW_TTxP1ow

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Design Manual 1025.04(6)– Improvement Projects – Pedestrian

needs to be addressed– Preservation Projects - “Alteration”

Use of Standard Plans– Make site specific (evaluate)

Design for Constructability– Min. = Min. and Max. = Max– Be aware of construction tolerance

Design

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Documentation– Inventory existing conditions– Document deficiencies/decisions– Maximum Extent Feasible

Develop Traffic Control Plans– Determine Pedestrian users in project

area– Alternate Pedestrian Access Route

through Work Zones.

Design

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Resource

PROWAC– Special Report:

Planning and Designing for Alterations, July 2007

– Link on Design Office website

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COMMON PEDESTRIAN

FEATURES

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Curb ramps Driveways Crosswalks

Common Pedestrian Features

• Identified Pedestrian Access Route • Pedestrian Crossings (Audio/Visual)


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Feature:Curb Ramps

Curb Ramp Mess Gives Bend Council Headaches

By Mackenzie Wilson and Barney Lerten, KTVZ.COMPOSTED: 12:09 pm PDT September 2010

http://www.ktvz.com/news/24858262/detail.html

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http://www.ktvz.com/news/24858262/detail.html

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Curb Ramp

Flare Flare

Level Landing

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Detectable Warning

Ramp

Gutter

RampCross Slope

Ramp Running Slope

Counter Slope

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Pedestrian Signal Button Location

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Detectable Warning Surface• Located at the bottom of ramp parallel to curb• Contrasting color

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Common Elements• 4’ clear width excluding flares.• Detectable warning where curb ramp,

landing or blended transition connects to street.

• Grade breaks not permitted within elements. Smooth surface required where grade breaks meet.

• Changes in level not permitted on elements.

• 4’ x 4’ clear space beyond the curb line and outside parallel travel lane.

• 5% max. counterslope.

HOW BIG?(It’s just a little gap…)

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< 36” >

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Basic RequirementsCurb Ramps (& blended transitions)

• Must connect to street within crosswalk• One curb ramp per crossing• Types – in order of preference

– Perpendicular– Parallel– Combination / Blended transitions (Perpendicular

and Parallel) – Diagonal

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Types of Curb Ramps

1. Perpendicular2. Parallel3. Combination (Perpendicular and Parallel)4. Diagonal

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PERPENDICULAR

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1.Perpendicular Curb Ramp

Flares provide transition between ramp and sidewalk. Design to prevent tipping.

Returned curbs can be used when ramp is outside walkway, such as a planting strip ramp. FHWA Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access Part I of II

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Basic RequirementsPerpendicular Curb Ramps

• Cut through curb or cross gutter at right angles

• 2% < Grade < 8.3%• Cross slope 2% maximum (except at mid-

block locations)• 5’ x 5’ landing with 2% max. slope

(4’ x 4’ min. allowed)• 10% max. flares

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Perpendicular Curb Ramps


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Examples PerpendicularMeets Requirements

Does Not Meet Requirements

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Example Perpendicular

Meets RequirementsDoes Not Meet Requirements

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Example Perpendicular



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Examples of Non-CompliantDesigns

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PARALLEL

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Parallel Curb Ramp

Works well on narrow sidewalks but requires users continuing on sidewalk to negotiate two ramps.


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Basic Requirements Parallel Curb Ramps

• 2% < Grade < 8.3% • Cross slope 2% maximum• 4’ x 4’ landing at bottom with 2% max. slope• Protect diverging sidewalk drop-offs with barrier

1:12 Max

1:12 Max4’ Min

4’ Min

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Example Parallel

Meets Requirements Meets Requirements

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Example Parallel

Meets Requirements

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2%0.8%

2%8.6%

7.4%

16.5%

18.6%

8.6%

11%

7.6%

4.5%

Appropriate Height to Push Button

Example ParallelDoes Not Meet Requirements

6.4%

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COMBINATION BLENDED TRANSITIONAL

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Combination Curb Ramp

A creative way to avoid steep curb ramps and still provide a level landing.


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Basic RequirementsBlended Transitions

• Grade and cross slope < 2%

• Must comply with requirements for all common elements

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DIAGONAL

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Diagonal Curb Ramp

If diagonal curb ramps are used, a 48 inch clear space (outside traveled way) required.

48” min clear space

FHWA Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access Part I of II WSDOT-ADA-Training

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Feature:Driveways

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Access Across a Driveway Wide Sidewalk – retain a level pedestrian access route

Narrow sidewalk – jog sidewalk to create level pedestrian access route

Parallel crossing to provide level pedestrian access route





Examples of DrivewaysMeets Standards


Examples of Parallel DrivewaysMeets Standards Does Not Meet Standards


Examples of DrivewaysDoes Not Meet Standards


NOT acceptable!

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Feature:Crosswalks

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Basic RequirementsCrosswalks

• 8’ min. width• 2% max. cross slope (street grade)• 5% max. grade in direction of ped. travel

(street cross slope)

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Crosswalks

Constraint - Excessive Roadway Slope

Mill surface to 2% crownAccessible Public Rights-of-Way

Accessible Public Rights-of-Way

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Examples of CrosswalksMeets Standards Does Not Meet Standards


Examples of Crosswalks

Meets Standards Does Not Meet Standards



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Curb Extensions• Curb extensions improve

visibility between pedestrians and motorists.

Shortens distance to travel between curbs



Pushbuttons• Locator tone required during DON’T WALK

intervals (solid & flashing)• Locate pushbutton within 5-10’ of crosswalk and

30” of curb line and at least 10’ separation between buttons.

• Landing required at button• 2” min. size and contrast visually with housing• Optional features permitted on extended button

press

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Conveniently located pushbuttons

Oregon DOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, June 1995

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Feature:Island/Medians

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Basic Requirements Ped. Crossings: Medians/Islands

• Must be usable by everyone

NOT accessible

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Median Island CrosswalkExample

Good cut through w/ exception

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Corner & Median Island Crosswalks

• Ramped corner island, cut through median

• Cut through corner island and median



Corner Island CrosswalkExamples

Good cut through w/ exception Good raised island


FEATURE:LANDINGS

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Landing Area that needs to be Level (0 to 2% both directions)

Curb Ramps Building and Facility Ramps

Landing

LandingswL

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Curb Ramp Landings

• 5’ x 5’ landing for turning

• Max. 2% cross slope in any direction

• Landings also needed at push buttons

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No landing at push button

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Examples of Landings

Meets Requirements Does Not Meet

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Speaking of landings…(Do you have clients like this?)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfDyTUiL8xs

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfDyTUiL8xs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfDyTUiL8xs

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Feature:Building & Facility

Ramps

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Building & Facility RampApplies to bridges, pedestrian bridges and undercrossings; sites such as rest areas, park and ride lots, transit facilities; shared-use paths and meandering pedestrian access routes (independent horizontal and vertical alignment from the roadway).

Running Slope

Landing

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Building & Facility Ramps

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Ramps

Handrails – 34” to 38” shall extend 18” at top and bottom.

Any part of an accessible route with a slope greater than 1:20 shall be considered a ramp

Landings: Not less than 60” clear

Figure 17

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Change in 180-degree Turn



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Non compliant Handrails. RailsDo not extend 18” beyond ramp.

Ramp Handrails

Correct Extension

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Non compliant – no extension

Ramp Handrails

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Feature:Pedestrian Access

Route

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Pedestrian Facility Elements

• The zone system divides the sidewalk corridor into four zones to ensure that pedestrians have a sufficient amount of clear space to travel.

• Zone Min. Width• Curb 6 in.• Planter/Furniture/Utility 24 in., 48 in.• if planted• Pedestrian Access Route 60 in.• Frontage 30 in.• Total Sidewalk Corridor 10 ft. – 12 ft.

• Zone Min. Width• Curb 6 in.• Planter/Furniture/Utility 24 in., 48 in.• if planted• Pedestrian Access Route 60 in.• Frontage 30 in.• Total Sidewalk Corridor 10 ft. – 12 ft.

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Pedestrian Facility Elements

Zone Min. WidthCurb 6 in.Planter/Furniture/Utility 24 in.,

48 in. if plantedPedestrian Access Route 60 in.Frontage 30 in.Total Sidewalk Corridor 10 ft. – 12 ft.

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Pedestrian Access RouteExamples

Meets w/ exception Does not meet

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Feature:Sidewalk

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Running Slope• Allowed to match roadway grade when sidewalk

located parallel and adjacent to roadway.

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Sidewalk Examples• Running slope may

match roadway grade.• 2% cross slope required.

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Sidewalk Examples

Meandering sidewalk must meet ADA requirements

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Sidewalk ExamplesObstructions

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CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATIONS

Traffic Control Plans• Alternate Pedestrian Access Route

through Work Zone• Consider all disabilities • Be aware of users in project area

Construction

Alternate Pedestrian Access RouteNot Addressed


Alternate Pedestrian Access Routes

•Temporary curb ramps•Temporary sidewalks


Alternate Pedestrian Access Routes•Guide visually impaired•Adequate signing


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Alternate Pedestrian Access Route

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• Tolerances• Surfacing depths and slopes • Construction forming/pouring

Construction







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The bottom line…(Can’t we skimp a little or is the slope really

important?)

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYLMTvxOaeE

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYLMTvxOaeE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYLMTvxOaeE

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IN CONCLUSION

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• Inventory project area• Determine deficiencies• Correct in design• Document decisions• Address accessible route through work

zone• Potential changes coming

Areas to Focus On

Useful Web Sites

http://ite.org/accessible/PROWAAC/PROWAAC_SpecialReport.pdf

http://www.access-board.gov/news/sidewalk-videos.htm





Documents

Universal Access Meeting Accessibility Requirements in Public Rights of Way