The Solution:
Creating clear standards and procedures so contractors can design, build and manage ADA compliant TPAR’s
…with the goal of pedestrian access for everyone!
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A quick re-visit of the problem
Previously, we identified the problem with current temporary pedestrian access routes and their inability to allow a disabled person to easily travel through a construction or work zone. We also identified the lack of ADA compliant standards that cities, municipalities and their contractors have when creating these TPARs.
On this page we will identify a solution to that problem. But first let’s start with…
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The 3 main things that people with disabilities want from a TPAR
- Standards that are shared with them so they can navigate on their own, knowing what to expect and having one source to call for questions.
- Communication with them as a community so they know when these standards and changes will take affect.
- Not having to ask for help: they ask that MN/DOT create a temporary sidewalk which they can travel on their own, the majority of the time. “Make it so I can do it myself.”
People with disabilities want temporary pedestrian routes to include:
- A sufficiently wide walkway with a minimum width of 48”, to allow for safe passage of wheelchairs/motorized cars, and service animals if walking alongside.
- Channelizing devices along the walkway must be sturdy and stable; will not tip if one loses their balance and falls into them. Devices should be straight up and down versus angled. They should also be free of anything protruding from the sides or from openings along the bottom edge – openings, etc, causing a cane or a walker leg to catch and potentially disorient or “trip-up” a person. Contrast tape should also be incorporated for pedestrians with low vision.
- A continuous railing on the top to allow someone to place their hand on the railing and move their hand along the railing without encountering gaps, silvers or materials too hot or cold to the touch.
- Surfaces and temporary ramps made of materials that won’t become slippery when wet/frosty, and not cause glaring from the sun or other bright light. Temperature can be a problem, potentially causing injury to the paws of a service animal.
- Transitions between 2 surfaces should be smooth, sturdy and made of non-slippery materials, especially to accommodate elevation changes. If using ramps, they must be was wide as the detour walkway surface, with an ideal slope of 8 percent or flatter.
The Solution:
ADA compliant standards, allowing manufacturers to create devices and equipment to build ADA compliant TPARs
There is plenty of information available when a city or contractor needs to build a temporary pedestrian access route. But now that these pedestrian routes need to be ADA compliant, new standards must be created and implemented.
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But it’s imperative that these standards be clearly understood by city planners and designers, as well as the manufacturers and contractors who are hired to create these temporary pedestrian access routes. That is the challenge and the reason that TPAR.com was created.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation, manufacturers and persons with disabilities came together to create a solution
On June 23rd– 24th, 2010 the Temporary Pedestrian Route Workshop and Demonstration was conducted. The event was a joint effort planned and developed by MN/DOT, the American Traffic Safety Service Association, and experts from the manufacturing side.
The 10 essential elements that an ADA compliant TPAR should have:
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- Longitudinal Channelizers: These devices are used to delineate the sides of a walkway and need to be wide enough for those people who use a wheelchair or motorized cart.
Channelizers must take these elements into consideration:
- Channelizing devices that outline the route and are sufficiently wide (48” wide) to allow for safe passage of someone in a wheelchair or motorized cart and someone accompanied by a service animal.
- Channelizing Devices must be sturdy and stable – one that will not tip over if a person should lose their balance and fall into them.
- Channelizing devices should be straight up and down versus angled, and ones that is free of anything protruding from the sides of the devices.
- Channelizing devices without holes or openings along the bottom edge – holes can cause a cane or walker leg to catch and potentially disorient or “trip” a person using the cane or walker
2. Railings: Guide rails connected to straight up and down channelizing devices should be continuous, allowing a person with a disability to hold the rail for balance and security, safely running their hand along the top of the rail. The guide rail, often used for holding to help ensure balance and security, cannot pose hazards: wood can cause splinters, a pipe can be either too hot in the sun or too cold in cool weather to hold onto. A rail that has couplings larger than the rail itself also poses the possibility for injury.
The tap rail at the bottom allows those who use a cane to smoothly move their cane a long the base and not be stopped or have their cane snagged by gaps or openings in the rail.
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3. Stability: People with disabilities need channelizing devices and surfaces that are stable. Longitudinal channelizers such as barriers or barricades serve as a stabilizing device for those who have balance issues and need something they can use for steadying themselves. A smooth, solid rail that is well secured to a channelizing device is vital to keep someone from losing their balance and possibly falling.
Ground surface also must be stable. Metal and wood surfaces can become slippery in wet weather or when wet debris remains on the surfaces. Nodules on a metal surface can cause someone with balance issues to feel insecure. Vibrations from a slightly elevated, wooden walkway surface are very disorienting for anyone with a balance issue and can cause a person with this type of disability to fall.
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5. Transition between two surfaces: For many people with disabilities, elevation changes are difficult to deal with. Poorly built transitions between heights and surfaces can cause several problems, including tripping, loss of balance, causes canes and wheels of walkers to catch, and can cause a wheelchair to be hindered or difficult to maneuver.
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“The transition between two surfaces needs to be smooth, sturdy
and made of non-slippery material and must be free of ridges”
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6. Surfaces: Need to be made of non-slip material. Rain or icing, including early morning frost or dew can cause surfaces to become very slippery. Leaves and other debris that can accumulate on such surfaces can also add to slippery conditions.
Wood and metal surfaces can be more acceptable if completely covered with “flush-to-the-surface” non-slip materials. Metal surfaces can get hot from the sun, as well as create a glare when not painted.
When a temporary curb ramp is constructed of wood with a plywood surface, movement vibrations on the surface can become extremely disorienting for anyone with a balance issue. Possibly causing a person with this type of disability to fall, risking injury.
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7. Ramps: Temporary curb ramps need to be as wide as the detour route to prevent someone who is walking or in a wheelchair or motorized cart from falling off the side. A ramp of 8 percent grade has far more appeal than one of 16 percent. The surface of a temporary curb ramp must be non-slip, but not catch canes or walkers.
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8. Warning lights: Flashing warning lights signal “caution!” They note that something different is ahead and a person needs to pay attention more than usual. Flashing lights at the beginning and end of a detour due to the closing or blocking of a sidewalk is a distinct benefit to someone with low vision, and someone with balance issues.
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9. Illumination lighting: Lights along a temporary pedestrian access route (TPAR) are very desirable and encouraged, as any person with a disability who need to be out in lower light hours, has difficulty distinguishing surfaces, transitions, etc.
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10. Informational Signage: Proper signage to accommodate people with disabilities is critical and they need to be clear and concise, with large, clear letting, high contrast and the addition of Braille for those who need it. Signs need to…
- Be placed well before the beginning of the work zone
- Info on when the construction period will begin
- Length of the sidewalk detour
- Signs identifying the beginning and end of the TPAR
- In a language that everyone in the area understands
- Contact number if there is a problem with the TPAR
11. The TPAR must protect pedestrians from traffic
The temporary pedestrian access route must protect the pedestrian from typically encountered traffic and work zone area dangers along the walkway. All pedestrians should be provided the equivalent level of safety or higher from typical walkway hazards encountered prior to the work zone conditions.
When a TPAR is established within areas previously designated for vehicular traffic, and traffic should be physically separated from the TPAR except for designated crosswalks. Longitudinal barriers such as concrete or steel barrier may be required to protect the pedestrians from adjacent roadway traffic and/or work zone construction vehicles.
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ADA compliance is our ongoing mission
At TPAR.com we understand that the standards and guidelines for creating ADA compliant TPAR’s are at the beginning stages. But we are working diligently with MN/DOT and other organizations to create clear standards and guidelines for designers, and contractors so they in-turn can build and manage temporary pedestrian access routes that will be compliant with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards.
