.

The ADA Compliant TPAR Devices
We Recommend

First, let’s review the problem

Historically, temporary pedestrian access routes (TPAR) have not been ADA compliant.  And that simply means, they are not designed with consideration of people from the disabled community.  And although cities and municipalities understand that under “state law” TPAR’s need to be ADA compliant … presently the standards and specifications are confusing and challenging to implement. TPAR.com was created for just that purpose!

TPAR / ADA compliant devices for Construction Work Zones

Federal legislation dating back to 1990 (Title II of the American with Disabilities Act) requires that pedestrian accessibility be maintained in work zones.  Until recently, most of the safety considerations were focused on vehicular traffic and workers.  Pedestrians however, can represent an even larger proportion of the “traveling public” compared to vehicles, especially in urban areas.  For this reason, accommodating pedestrians, especially those with disabilities, has become an integral part of all work zone planning efforts.

Introducing The TPAR Pedestiran Barricade

1. Guiderail

The guiderail, located on the top, is one of the most important pieces of a channelizing device. To be effective the guiderail must be a continuous, solid railing and constructed of a smooth material which allows a pedestrian to safely run their hands along the top of the guiderail.  2.  Connecting Pin

The conneting pin allows two TPAR Barricades to easily interlock, allowing you to create as long as a walkway as necessary, and more importantly, interlocks the barricades so there are no gaps or holes in the top and bottom railings that hands or canes can get caught on.

3.  Support Plates

The support plates are very simple devices, but they play a pivotal role in creating a long channelizing walkway as they create a stable connection between the two barricades.  Many people with disabilities require channelizing devices that are stable, because the offer these people with balance issues a place to use to steady themselves.  The support plate ensures that the connecting barricades remain stable.

4.  Rear Foot with hole

This is also a stabilizing device and was created to attach the TPAR Barricade to other stable elements of a pedestrian walkway.  The hole is used in bolting the barricades and makes for easy assembly and disassembly.

5.  Beveled Front Foot

The Front Foot is always used to help stabilize the TPAR Barricade, and because it faces out towards the pedestrian walkway surface, it is beveled to eliminate tripping and reduce the chances of canes getting caught on the device.

6.  Tap Rail

The Tap Rail is the bottom rail of any channelizing device used to create a temporary pedestrian walkway (TPAR).  This Tap Rail is critical for people that are blind, and must not have holes or openings that can cause a cane to catch and potentially disorient or “trip-up” the person.

7.  Receiving Connector

The receiving connector is basically the female end of the Barricade and allows connecting pin (#2 above) to interlock two Barricades so one continuous Barricade/walkway is created.  This connector is used to keep the Barricade and the walkway stable…a critical component of a successful temporary pedestrian access route (TPAR)

8.  Vertical Support

The vertical supports help outline the pedestrian route and give the Barricade a “railing look”, and are an important part of the Barricade.  The vertical supports connect the top rail with the bottom, and help create a very strong and stable railing for all pedestrians.

9.  Contrast Tape

Contrast tape located on the Tap rail of the Barricade serves a couple of purposes. First, it is used to indicate a “hazard”, and makes it easier for people with low vision to see the barrier.  And second it is used as a contrast color that helps accentuate the bottom rail (tap rail) from the walkway surface, and helps outline the walkway itself.

3 of the most critical components of the
TPAR Barricade includes:

1.  The Tap Rail: It is required by ADA standards that guide rails or channelizing devices do not have holes or openings along the bottom edge to cause canes or a walker to catch on them.  The TPAR Barricade offers one continuous tap rail, with no joints, protrusions or opening of any kind. It also includes contrasting tape to help pedestrians with low vision.

2. Guide Rail: As per ADA standards, the guide rail surface should be smooth and free of any sharp or abrasive elements, with no breaks or separations.  The TPAR guide rail offers one continuous, stable and non-flexible tactile assistance, with contrast sheeting provided as a visual aid for pedestrians with low vision.

3.  Front Foot Bevel: The Barricade is secured by footings that can be bolted in the back and are beveled in the front so they lay flat and do not create a tripping hazard.

.

.

Patent Pending design offers interlocking panels

The individual panels interlock, both when transporting to and from the project and then once deployed, without any tedious assembly being required on the site.  This Patent Pending design results in both a secure work zone and a safe passageway for all pedestrians…especially those of the disabled community.

The TPAR Barricade is manufactured of construction grade, galvanized steel to ensure years of use, while still allowing for mobility on the job site.

.

.

.

The TPAR Barricade was built to meet these specific Requirements:

• Guiderails provide tactile assistance for pedestrians with low vision.
• Contrast sheeting providing a visual aid for pedestrians with low vision
• Tap rails for cane using pedestrians
• Non-intrusive profile, resulting in a clear, hazard-free walkway.

The TPAR Audible Device

Proper signage and warnings are of utmost importance to people with disabilities.  Proper signage needs to be clear and concise, large, clear lettering, high contrast, the addition of Braille for those who use Braille and raised lettering/maps for those who rely on their tactile capabilities for information. The TPAR Warning Device was created to fill that need.

The TPAR Audible Device Includes:

• Large informational sign, with large clear lettering, and high contrast black on white coloring
• Large optional lightweight flashing light
• Large warning boards 36” wide, with blazed orange striping for contrast, and to help people with low vision
• An audible message device location, with loud recorded message that overcomes typical ambient sound levels, such as traffic, construction and crowd noise.
• A bright orange contact sign with phone number and info on when the detour will be finished.
• All square galvanized steel tube for mounting
• MN/DOT Approved

The TPAR Curb Ramp

Temporary curb ramps need to be as wide as the detour route to prevent someone who is walking, in a wheel chair, or using a motorized cart from falling off a side.

The TPAR Curb Ramp specifications include:

• Grades:  12:1 to 10:1 max slope for a max 6” rise Max length 72”)
  • 10:1 to 8:1 max slope for a max 3” rise
• Landing allows for a minimum of 48” of clear, near level area top and bottom of the ramp. The level area should be at least as wide as the curb ramp.
• Detectable edging
• Non-slip surface material
• Changes between surface heights no more the .5 inches
• Protective edging with a 2” minimum height
• Walkway edge is marked with a contrasting color
• Curb ramp should be a minimum width of 48”.