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Accessible Destinations & Transportation

Atlanta Hosts Workshop on Accessible Public Rights-of-Ways

In July 2001, the Access Board conducted a two-day training program on access to public rights-of-way that was organized by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC). The event brought together over 150 transportation professionals and engineers from all over the country, as well as representatives from area disability groups. The audience represented all levels of government - local, state, and federal - through the participation of agencies such as the Federal Highway Administration, the Georgia Department of Transportation, and various city governments. The program focused on access issues and solutions in public rights-of-way design and featured presentations by the Federal Highway Administration, ARC, members of a former Board advisory committee on public rights-of-way, and others.

Participants heard from a consumer panel comprised of persons with disabilities who detailed common access issues at sidewalks and street crossings, such as curb ramps with lipped edges, which complicate wheelchair maneuvering, and the need for audible and tactile cues at street crossings for persons with vision impairments. A panel of designers discussed various constraints in rights-of-way design and how this can impact accessibility. A key segment of the program involved organizing participants into separate groups to examine nearby intersections, which allowed engineers and designers to see firsthand some of the typical problems pedestrians with disabilities encounter. Each group then outlined and discussed possible solutions to the particular issues identified at each intersection.

The Access Board used this event to publicize its work to develop guidelines for public rights-of-way under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Currently, the Access Board is preparing a proposed set of guidelines to be published for public comment that will supplement its ADA Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). These guidelines, which will cover access to sidewalks, street crossings, and other related pedestrian facilities, will be based on recommendations from an advisory committee organized by the Board. The Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee included representatives from disability organizations, public works departments, transportation and traffic engineering groups, design professionals and civil engineers, government agencies, and standards-setting bodies. Last January, the Committee presented its recommendations to the Access Board in the form of a report, Building a True Community, which the Access Board has made widely available along with guidance material it has developed on accessible public rights-of-ways.

A subgroup of former Committee members is continuing to work with the Board on guidance materials that will focus on alterations in the public right-of-way. This group convened its first meeting in Atlanta after the two-day training program and will hold future meetings in different cities to gather information for "real world" case studies that will be included in the guide to be developed. The group plans to use these meetings to analyze and recommend improvements to local sites and intersections that will be selected in advance for a good range of issues and opportunities, such as geometric design, orientation and mobility, signaling, and barrier removal. Future programs are under consideration for sites in St. Louis, MO, Portland, OR, and San Antonio, TX. The Access Board welcomes recommendations on other possible sites. For more information, contact the Board at (202)272-5434, ext. 132 (voice), (202)272-5449 (TTY) or by e-mail.

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