Accessibility Policy & Guidelines for
Pedestrian Facilities along State Highways
December 2005
To provide equal access under the American Disabilities Act, increasing use of APS is being made. Several publications, including those from the U.S. Access Board, Transportation Research Board and others, provide information for APS. SHA-Office of Traffic & Safety (OOTS) has developed a paper, "Accessible Pedestrian Signals-Design Guidelines."
MUTCD Section 4E-10 provides information on the design of APS. Before addressing the need for APS, the Assistant District Engineer-Traffic is to be contacted as is standard procedure when considering the need for any traffic signal work.
A detectable warning device is a standard feature built into the sidewalk or ramp that alerts visually impaired individuals to the presence of a hazard in the line of travel. ADAAG specifies that detectable warnings shall consist of raised truncated domes. Truncated domes are required at street crossings and signalized intersections. Reference the current Book of Standards for Highway & Incidental Structures for Detectable Warning Surfaces Standard number 655.40.
Staging of construction shall allow for safe travel for all pedestrians through the corridor. In design, this may require that Special Provisions be developed, Maintenance of Pedestrian Access be established as a pay item and/or Maintenance of Pedestrian Access Plans be prepared. The following principles may apply:
Limit Sidewalk shutdown to "block-by-block"
Review Pedestrian Detour
Include appropriate Signing
Provide Temporary Sidewalk Construction
Cross at intersections only
Avoid Edge Dropoffs
Physical barriers should be in place to separate path of travel from work area.
