Designing Accessible Pedestrian Facilities
ACCESSIBILITY IS A CIVIL RIGHT. The key function of transportation, at its most fundamental level, is to provide basic mobility to society. Yet transportation is about more than concrete, asphalt, and steel. It is about people and about providing opportunities for people. Our greatest challenge is to build a transportation system that is international in reach; intermodal in form; intelligent in character; and inclusive in nature. - Rodney Slater, Secretary of Transportation, July 1999 (Accessibility Policy Statement, July 1999)
I've had the pleasure and privilege to train numerous professionals in the provision of accessible pedestrian facilities (WSDOT, the City of Bellevue, ADOT, and the Kiewit Center for Infrastructure & Transportation/ODOT).
Here's a collection of online resources that you can use in efforts make pedestrian facilities accessible. Note that the standards and guidelines change over time and that older documents may reflect older standards/guidelines. Always ensure that you're using the latest documents endorsed by FHWA/DOJ when working with the public-right-of-way.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
LINKS TO CRITICAL DOCUMENTS
- The ADA Act: Americans with Disabilities Act, Public Law 336 of the 101st Congress, enacted July 26, 1990
- ADA Regulation for Title II, as printed in the Federal Register (7/26/91). The Department of Justice's regulation implementing title II, subtitle A, of the ADA
- Department of Justice - ADA Title II Highlights- HTML
- ADA Regulation for Title III, as printed in the Code of Federal Regulations (7/1/94). The Department of Justice's regulation implementing title III of the ADA
- ADAAG: The ADA AND ABA Accessibility Guidelines 07/23/04
- PROWAC (Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way) (U.S. Access Board, 2005) - HTML, PDF
- ADA 28 CFR Part 35 - Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in state and local government services (PDF)
- Building a True Community: HTML, PDF
- Special Report: Accessible Public Rights-of-Way Planning and Design for Alterations - HTML, PDF
- Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access, Part 1, Review of Existing Guidelines and Practices - PDF
- Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access, Part 2, Best Practices Design Guide (September 2001), HTML, PDF (individual PDF files); Errata Sheet
- FHWA Memorandums related
to ADA Facility Design (chronologically
from the most recent):
- Clarification of FHWA's Oversight Role in Accessibility (September 12th,2006)
- Adoption of ADAAG 2004 - USDOT Accessibility Regulations: 49 CFR Part 37--Transportation Services for Individuals with Disabilities: Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 209 / Monday, October 30, 2006 / Rules and Regulations / Page 63263 - PDF
- Clarification on the use of the revised draft accessibility guidelines (the Draft Guidelines) for public rights-of-way in the Federal Register on November 23, 2005 (January 23rd, 2006)
- Detectable Warnings Memo (July 30, 2004)
- Detectable Warnings Memo (May 6, 2002)
- Transmittal Memo (November 20, 2001)
- Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Synthesis and Guide to Best Practice (NCHRP 3-62), PDF
- Accessible Public Rights-of-Way: Planning and Designing for Alterations, published by the Institute of Transportation Engineer
ORGANIZATIONS; GOVERNMENT SITES
- Detectable Warnings: Synthesis of US and International Practice: Text, PDF
- Pedestrian Access to Modern Roundabouts, HTML
- Synthesis of Literature Relevant to Roundabout Signalization to Provide Pedestrian Access: HTML, PDF
- Visual Detection of Detectable Warning Materials by Pedestrians with Visual Impairments: HTML, PDF; and the Technical Brief (HTML)
- FHWA
- Accessible Design for the Blind
- apbp - Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals
HANDY LINKS
- Accessible Rights-of-Way: A Design Guide - HTML, PDF - The Board developed this guide in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration in order to provide advisory information until guidelines for public rights-of-way are developed. The 148-page guide shows how existing ADA standards for pedestrian routes on sites can be adapted for application to sidewalks and street crossings. It provides best practices recommendations, along with the rationale behind them, for the design, construction, alteration, and retrofit of public pedestrian facilities.
- Pedestrian Synthesis Report (2004) - PDF (sponsored by FHWA)
- DBTAC National Network of ADA Centers
- The structure of the ADA (DBTAC)
- Definition of Disability (DBTAC)
- Historical Context of the Americans with Disabilities Act (DBTAC)
- Pedestrian Information Center
- Easter Seals: Project Action - Toolkit for the Assessment of Bus Stop Accessibility and Safety: PDF (other free resources: HTML)
- Detectable Warnings: Synthesis of US and International Practice: Text, PDF
- Pedestrian Access to Modern Roundabouts, HTML
- ADA ENFORCEMENT: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
- LEGAL
RULINGS
- Barden vs City of Sacramento: PDF (Supreme Court Material)
You're welcome to contact me if you have a link to add or if you find broken links.