Development of an Assessment Process To Evaluate Sidewalk Accessibility

• Published in: Transportation research record 1999, Vol.1671 (1), p.5-10
• Main Authors: Axelson, Peter W., Wong, Kathleen M., Kirschbaum, Julie B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Buildings. Public works; Ergonomics; Exact sciences and technology; Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Handicapped persons; Laws and legislation; Road operations (signalization, lighting, safety and accessories, snow clearance, acoustical panel, etc.); Sociology. Ergonomy. User requirements; Transportation infrastructure
• ISSN: 0361-1981; 2169-4052
• DOI: 10.3141/1671-02

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 mandates that public facilities such as sidewalks must be “accessible to and usable by” people with disabilities. A process for assessing the access characteristics of sidewalks was developed as part of a project to evaluate current conditions on sidewalks. This project is the Sidewalk Assessment Process. It was developed as a research tool for collecting objective information about sidewalk features such as grade and cross slope that impact pedestrian access. Measurements in cities across the United States were made to evaluate the accuracy of the process. It was determined from these measurements that accurate and reliable information about the accessibility of sidewalks could be collected using the process. The data were found useful to compare the dimensions of new construction and alterations on sidewalks with accessibility guidelines, to identify areas requiring additional maintenance to comply with standards, and to determine methods for solving access problems. The assessment process may be used as a stand-alone planning tool to help sidewalk professionals identify the means to improve pedestrian facilities in their jurisdictions or as part of a communitywide accessibility improvement program.