Engineering for Accessibility

A transportation system that provides full accessibility results in a high quality system for all users. Accessible infrastructure has been linked to increased business opportunities, social development health benefits, and increased independence among community members.

What is accessibility?

Accessible design practices incorporate the needs of people with disabilities into the design and development of public infrastructure, allowing facilities to be accessed independently by people with disabilities.

What contributes to accessible infrastructure?

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires pedestrian infrastructure be accessible and usable by people of all abilities. Some elements of an accessible pedestrian route include:

Sidewalks,
Curb ramps,
Crosswalks,
Pushbuttons at traffic signals, and
Accessible parking.

What information is available to ensure my project is accessible once complete?

ADA requirements are integrated into all Oregon Department of Transportation standard drawings, details, specifications and design manuals. In addition, ODOT prepares guidance and element designs to maximize accessibility in new construction and existing facilities. Technical guidance documents clarify when, where, and how to provide access in the many unique situations found along the state highway system.

Project Elements that Impact ADA Accessibility

For each project element, technical requirements are provided to guide the design of accessible public facilities. Project requirements for ADA can be found in the ADA Curb Ramp Process document.

Curb Ramps

When curb ramps are included in a project, ODOT requires several processes to ensure the constructed curb ramp will comply with accessibility requirements. The processes are summarized in the ODOT ADA Curb Ramp Process document.

Design shall meet criteria in the ADA Curb Ramp Design Checklist,
Design detail sheet shall be provided for each corner, and
Constructed curb ramps must be inspected using an ODOT curb ramp inspection form to document compliance with accessibility requirements.

Technical Requirements

Curb Ramp Design Checklist

Exhibit B - Curb ramp style companion document. Please note: Standard drawings and design manual must be used to design curb ramps.
Exhibit D - Illustrates the gutter flow slope requirements, based on the intersection control type.

ADA Curb Ramp Design Exceptions
RD16-01(B) - ADA Curb Ramp Design Exception Form and ADA Curb Ramp Guidance
RD17-01(B) - ADA Sidewalk Curb Ramp Detail: Minimum Requirements in Construction Plans
TSB18-03(D) - Curb Ramp Scoping and Right of Way

Standards

Standard Drawings, Roadway 700 Series - Curbs, Islands, Sidewalks, and Driveways
Standard Details, Roadway 1700 Series - Curbs, Islands, Sidewalks, and Driveways
Special Provisions, SP00759 - Miscellaneous Portland Cement Concrete Structures

External References

Accessible Public Rights-of-Way planning and designing for alterations (PROWAAC)

Pavement and Surface Treatments

The ADA requires that curb ramps be addressed when street pavement is altered with resurfacing. Curb ramps must be placed where they are needed or replaced if they are not compliant.

Technical Requirements

The following documents explain overarching project requirements, clarify ADA obligations for paving or resurfacing projects, and detail requirements for ongoing maintenance.

Highway Design Manual
RD13-01(A) - ADA Ramps in Resurfacing Projects
RD13-02(B) - 1R Program - ADA and Other Programmatic Updates
MG 100-107-1 - Guidelines for Pavement Maintenance Activities and their impact on ADA Requirements

Bridge

An accessibility evaluation of bridge sidewalks is required when:

A bridge is constructed;
A sidewalk is added to an existing bridge; or
The scope of work is classified as an "alteration."

Required ADA upgrades may be triggered by bridge rehabilitation and maintenance projects. See BDM Chapter 1, Section 16 for additional information.

Technical Requirements

The following documents explain requirements related to bridge sidewalk and curb ramp elements.

Bridge Design Manual

BDM Chapter 1, Section 16 - ADA Compliance for Bridge Work
BDM Appendix 1 - ADA Design of Bridge Curb Ramps
BDM Appendix 2 - ADA Bridge Work Examples

Standards

Standard Drawings, Bridge 200 Series - Bridge Rails
Standard Drawings, Roadway 770 - Pedestrian Handrail
Standard Drawings, Roadway 771 - Pedestrian Handrail Detail

Crosswalks

Per Oregon statute, every intersection is a pedestrian crossing unless the crossing is closed by official action.

Closing a Crossing

For ODOT highways, use the process detailed in the Traffic Manual. The state traffic roadway engineer approves all requests for crossing closures.

Use local jurisdiction approval processes when requesting a closure for a road owned by a local municipality.

Technical Requirements

Traffic Manual, section 310.8.
Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Design Guide, Chapter 5 - This guide is Appendix L of the Highway Design Manual.

Standards

Standard Drawing TM240 - Crosswalk Closure Detail

Forms

Signalized Intersections

The location of pedestrian signal equipment should be determined in conjunction with the curb ramp and crosswalk layout.

You must evaluate the pedestrian push buttons for accessibility triggers as well as the surrounding area for reach, range and landing requirements, when a project includes any of the following elements:

Signalized intersections
Rectangular rapid flashing beacons
Pedestrian hybrid beacons

Accessible pushbuttons are required when traffic signal work is considered to be an alteration.

Technical Requirements

Technical guidance documents TR16-01(B) and TR16-02(B) have been incorporated into the Signal Design Manual. These documents discussed requirements for pedestrian signal equipment and audible pedestrian signals.

The following document explains maintenance work requirements.

MG 144-03 - Traffic Signal Maintenance and Americans with Disabilities Act

Standards

Standard Drawings Traffic Series - 400 Signals

Forms

Parking

Accessible parking spaces must be addressed when a project alters a parking lot or on-street parking that is metered or marked.

If sidewalks and pavement are altered, the parking access aisle must also be addressed.

Standards

Oregon Transportation Commission Standards for Accessible Parking Places
Oregon Revised Statute 447.233 - Parking Spaces Required to be Designated as Accessible, Van-accessible, and Wheelchair Use Only

Pedestrian Accommodations in Work Zones

A Temporary Pedestrian Accessible Route is a required component of every Traffic Control Plan.

The TPAR details how pedestrians will be directed through or around a work zone. The level of detail required for the TPAR depends on the complexity of the project and the volume of pedestrian traffic.

Technical Requirements

TSB17-01(D) - Temporary Pedestrian Accessible Route Plans Required for Work Zones
MG Activities 2 - Maintaining Accessibility During Maintenance Work

Standards

Oregon Temporary Traffic Control Handbook
Traffic Control Plans Design Manual
Standard Drawings TM844 - Temporary Pedestrian Access Routing
Standard Details Traffic 4000 Series
Special Provisions 200 - Temporary Features and Appurtenances

SP00220 - Accommodations for Public Transit
SP00225 - Work Zone Traffic Control

References

Contact information for the Association of Oregon Centers for Independent Living, AOCIL
American Traffic Safety Services Association Pedestrian Accommodation in Work Zones
Transit & Taxi Service Finder – Transit services with bicycle and wheelchair accommodations

Local Roads and Local Agencies

ODOT ensures that ADA processes are followed on federal-aid local projects, including for those certified local public agencies that do not have ADA certification from FHWA and ODOT.

Technical Requirements

LPA 101-19 - Americans with Disabilities Act Design Exceptions and Inspections

Curb Ramp Inventory and Inspection Resources

ODOT maintains an inventory of curb ramps on state highways. The inventory data is collected from on-site visual inspections conducted statewide by certified inspectors.

Inspection Training

In this time of social distancing, ODOT has cancelled in-person construction training through June 30. While in-person trainings are cancelled, online training is available.

All personnel who perform ADA inspections/construction must be certified. Individuals may sign up for one of the virtual classes set up through iLearn. The short-term ADA certification will expire on December 31, 2020.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email by phone at 503-986-4336.

Curb Ramp Inspections

ODOT provides training for ADA curb ramp inspectors. We've answered some frequently asked questions about the 2020 recertification inspection course. This course provides information on the equipment, measurements and procedures required to conduct inspections. Review the supplelmental information about curb ramp inspections we have received during past training sessions.

Exhibit A: Curb Ramp Location and Numbering - Instructions on how to properly assign corner and ramp position numbers for curb ramp inventory. For unique intersections, please consult with the inventory and mapping specialist.

Technical Requirements

RD19-02(B) - Measurement Criteria for Newly Constructed Curb Ramps, Driveways and Sidewalks

Curb Ramp Inspection Forms

Curb Ramp Inspection Standard Comments

Select the form that best suits your project:

Blended Transition Curb Ramps - Form 734-5020A
Combination Curb Ramps - Form 734-5020B
Cut-Through Island Ramps - Form 734-5020C
End-of-Walk Curb Ramps - Form - 734-5020D
Parallel Curb Ramps - Form 734-5020E
Perpendicular Curb Ramps - Form 734-5020F
Unique Curb Ramps - Form 734-5020G

Push Button Inspection Forms

Exhibit C: Push Button Clear Space Surface Types - This companion document aids in identification and inspection of the push button installation.

Select the form that best suits your project:

Turn Space and Paved Shoulder Access - Form 734-5245A
Back-in Maneuver, Ramp Run and Sidewalk Access - Form 734-5245B

Accessing Curb Ramp Inventory

Inventory information includes the functional and physical condition of a given curb ramp, and if the ramp meets ADA standards.

Visit the TransGIS website.
Under the "layers Catalog" tab, select "Roadside."
Select the "ADA Ramps" box.
Click "Apply" at the bottom of the "Layers Catalog" window.
Zoom into an area of interest by double-clicking the area or using the scroll wheel on your mouse.
Click the blue information icon at the top of the window and click on a curb ramp marker.
Information about the selected curb ramp will appear in a secondary window.

Corner locations statewide

Contact the Roadway Engineering Unit

4040 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, MS 5

Salem, Oregon 97302

Phone: 503-986-3568

Fax: 503-986-3749

Email the Roadway Engineering Unit

Program Lead

Taundra Mortensen, P.E. - Senior ADA Standards Engineer

Phone: 503-986-3727

Submit an Accessibility Request

www.ODOTADARequests.org

Watch a video about using the request form.

Engineering for Accessibility

What is accessibility?

What contributes to accessible infrastructure?

What information is available to ensure my project is accessible once complete?

Project Elements that Impact ADA Accessibility

Curb Ramps

Pavement and Surface Treatments

Bridge

Crosswalks

Signalized Intersections

Parking

Pedestrian Accommodations in Work Zones

Local Roads and Local Agencies

Curb Ramp Inventory and Inspection Resources

Inspection Training

Curb Ramp Inspections

Accessing Curb Ramp Inventory

Contact the Roadway Engineering Unit

Program Lead

Submit an Accessibility Request

Related Links