Curb ramps must aligned with crosswalks to help wheelchair and visually impaired users to orient themselves to cross the street
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Ramps aligned with crosswalks help wheeled users and persons who are blind or have low vision orient themselves to cross the street. On a small radius corner, ramps can be aligned with crosswalk and be perpendicular to curb. With larger corner radii, it is impossible to have ramps perpendicular to the curb and aligned with the crosswalk or the sidewalk. It should be noted that the requirement to have all grade changes take place at right angles takes precedence over any other goals. Curb ramps at marked crossings shall be wholly contained within the markings, excluding any flared sides, as stated in section 4.7.9 of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 as Amended. �
Diagonal Curb Ramp Don’t Use • Forces wheelchair and other users out of
crosswalk
• Causes persons who are blind or with low vision to cross the road diagonally – projecting pedestrians into the center of an intersection
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Diagonal ramps are primarily discouraged because of the disadvantages associated with them. Diagonal curb ramps force wheelchair users out of the crosswalk and into the travel way; they cause persons who are blind or with low vision to cross diagonally projecting them into the center of an intersection.
Curb ramp slopes that exceed the maximum slopes are
• Difficult for seniors to walk on
• Slippery for all when wet or snow covered
• Difficult for wheel chair users to negotiate
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Ramps aligned with crosswalks help wheeled users and persons who are blind or have low vision orient themselves to cross the street. On a small radius corner, ramps can be aligned with crosswalk and be perpendicular to curb. With larger corner radii, it is impossible to have ramps perpendicular to the curb and aligned with the crosswalk or the sidewalk. It should be noted that the requirement to have all grade changes take place at right angles takes precedence over any other goals. Curb ramps at marked crossings shall be wholly contained within the markings, excluding any flared sides, as stated in section 4.7.9 of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 as Amended. �
Pedestrian pushbuttons to be placed in accordance to the latest MUTCD
Crosswalk B
A P b a
10 ft
min.
nt
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The raised arrow can be different sizes and slightly different shapes, as well as mounted in different locations dependent upon the device. The photo on the left shows a pedestrian who is blind standing with his guide dog, with his hand on the arrow while waiting to cross. In the second photo the raised arrow is on the pushbutton. In the third photo, the arrow is above the pushbutton and in the last photo the arrow is on the pushbutton.
Find the Pushbutton
Presenter
Presentation Notes
In this photo the pushbutton is back in the bushes on the pole behind the bicycle rack. There is not enough time to push the button and get back to the crosswalk for sighted pedestrians let alone accommodate the challenges faced by blind pedestrians, of locating the push button.
Pushbutton
Key features • Speakers at the pushbutton • Pushbutton locator tone • Tactile arrow • Audible and vibrotactile walk indications • Automatic volume adjustment
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Pushbutton integrated APS are specified by the PROWAG. The 2009 MUTCD contains standards for APS, when used. The older style APS, such as those with the cuckoo and or chirping bird sound are no longer recommended and they are confusing to blind pedestrians. They can be confused with real birds. Vibrotactile-only provides only vibrations during the WALK indication. Pedestrian needs to be standing by the pushbutton and know that it is there. Receiver-based APS required the blind pedestrian to point a handheld receiver at the pedestrian signal in order to hear the WALK indication on the receiver. There were problems with the signal bouncing, blocked by large vehicles and not always knowing where to point the receiver.
• No longer recommended
– Pedhead-mounted (cuckoo/chirps)
Audible Pushbutton
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Pushbutton integrated APS are specified by the PROWAG. The 2009 MUTCD contains standards for APS, when used. The older style APS, such as those with the cuckoo and or chirping bird sound are no longer recommended and they are confusing to blind pedestrians. They can be confused with real birds. Vibrotactile-only provides only vibrations during the WALK indication. Pedestrian needs to be standing by the pushbutton and know that it is there. Receiver-based APS required the blind pedestrian to point a handheld receiver at the pedestrian signal in order to hear the WALK indication on the receiver. There were problems with the signal bouncing, blocked by large vehicles and not always knowing where to point the receiver.
Walkability Issues at Intersections for Seniors and Accessibility
