1510

Chapter 1510			Pedestrian Facilities
1510.01	General	1510.10	Crosswalks
1510.02	References	1510.11	Raised Medians/Traffic Islands
1510.03	Definitions	1510.12	Pedestrian Push Buttons at Signals
1510.04	Policy	1510.13	At-Grade Railroad Crossings
1510.05	ADA Requirements by	1510.14	Pedestrian Grade Separations
	Project Type		(Structures)
1510.06	Pedestrian Circulation Paths	1510.15	Other Pedestrian Facilities
1510.07	Pedestrian Access Routes	1510.16	Illumination and Signing
1510.08	Sidewalks	1510.17	Work Zone Pedestrian Accommodation
1510.09	Curb Ramps	1510.18	Documentation

1510.01 General

Pedestrian travel is a vital transportation mode. It is used at some point by nearly everyone and is a critical link to everyday life for many. Designers must be aware of the various physical needs and abilities of pedestrians in order to ensure facilities provide universal access.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) require pedestrian facilities to be designed and constructed so they are readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. This chapter provides accessibility criteria for the design of pedestrian facilities that meet applicable state and federal standards.

The pedestrian facilities included in a project are determined during the planning phase based on: access control of the highway; local transportation plans; comprehensive plans and other plans (such as Walk Route Plans developed by schools and school districts); the roadside environment; pedestrian volumes; user age group(s); and the continuity of local walkways along or across the roadway.

When developing pedestrian facilities within a limited amount of right of way, designers can be faced with multiple challenges. It is important that designers become familiar with the ADA accessibility criteria in order to appropriately balance intersection design with the often competing needs of pedestrians and other roadway users.

Similar to the roadway infrastructure, pedestrian facilities (and elements) require periodic maintenance in order to prolong the life of the facility and provide continued usability. Title II of the ADA requires that all necessary features be accessible and maintained in operable working condition for use by individuals with disabilities.

1510.02 References

(1)Federal/State Laws and Codes

ADA (28 CFR Part 35, as revised September 15, 2010)

23 CFR Part 652, Pedestrians and Bicycle Accommodations and Projects

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49 CFR Part 27, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability in Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 implementing regulations)

RCW 35.68, Sidewalks, gutters, curbs and driveways – All cities and towns

RCW 35.68.075, Curb ramps for persons with disabilities – Required – Standards and Requirements

RCW 46.04.160, Crosswalk (definition) RCW 46.61, Rules of the Road

RCW 47.24.020, City streets as part of state highways – Jurisdiction, control

(2)Design Guidance

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, USDOT, FHWA; as adopted and modified by Chapter 468-95 WAC “Manual on uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways” (MUTCD)

 www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/manuals/mutcd.htm

Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way (PROWAG), November 23, 2005, U.S. Access Board. The current best practices for evaluation and design of pedestrian facilities in the public right of way per the following FHWA Memoranda:

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/bikeped/prwaa.htm

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/civilrights/memos/ada_memo_clarificationa.htm

www.access-board.gov/prowac/draft.htm

Standard Plans for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction (Standard Plans), M 21-01, WSDOT

 www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/manuals/m21-01.htm

1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ); consists of 28 CFR parts 35 & 36 and the ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG), July 1991, U.S. Access Board. (For buildings and on-site facilities; usable if construction or alteration occurs prior to March 15, 2012.)

 http://www.access-board.gov/ada/

ADA Standards for Accessible Design, USDOJ, 2010; consists of 28 CFR parts 35 & 36 and the ADA and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADA-ABAAG; also referred to as the 2004 ADAAG), July 23, 2004, U.S. Access Board. (For buildings and on-site facilities; usable if construction or alteration occurs after September 15, 2010, but required if construction or alteration occurs on or after March 15, 2012.)

 http://www.access-board.gov/ada/

ADA Standards for Transportation Facilities, USDOT, 2006; consists of 49 CFR Parts 37 & 38 and the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities

(ADA-ABAAG; also referred to as the 2004 ADAAG), July 23, 2004, U.S. Access Board. (For transit, light rail, and similar public transportation facilities.)

 http://www.access-board.gov/ada/

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(3)Supporting Information

A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Green Book), AASHTO, Current version adopted by FHWA.

Field Guide for Accessible Public Rights of Way, WSDOT, 2010

 http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/fulltext/roadside/ada_field_guide.pdf

Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, AASHTO, 2004. Provides guidance on the planning, design, and operation of pedestrian facilities along streets and highways. Specifically, the guide focuses on identifying effective measures for accommodating pedestrians on public rights of way. It can be purchased through the AASHTO website.

Highway Capacity Manual, Transportation Research Board (TRB), 2000

Pedestrian Facilities Guidebook: Incorporating Pedestrians Into Washington’s Transportation System, OTAK, 1997

 www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/manuals/fulltext/m0000/pedfacgb.pdf

Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide – Providing Safety and Mobility, FHWA, 2002. Provides useful information regarding walkable environments; pedestrian crashes and their countermeasures; and engineering improvements for pedestrians.

 http://drusilla.hsrc.unc.edu/cms/downloads/pedfacility_userguide2002.pdf

Roadside Manual, M 25-30, WSDOT

 www.wsdot.wa.gov/publications/manuals/m25-30.htm

“Special Report: Accessible Public Rights-of-Way – Planning & Designing for Alterations,” Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee, July 2007

 www.access-board.gov/prowac/alterations/guide.htm

Understanding Flexibility in Transportation Design – Washington, WSDOT, 2005

 www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/600/638.1.htm

Washington State Bicycle Facilities and Pedestrian Walkways Plan

 www.wsdot.wa.gov/bike/bike_plan.htm

1510.03 Definitions

accessible Usable by persons with disabilities (ADA compliant).

accessible pedestrian signal (APS) A device that communicates information about the “WALK” phase in audible and vibrotactile (vibrating surface that communicates information through touch, located on the accessible pedestrian signal button) formats.

accessible route Seepedestrian access route.

ADA An abbreviation for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that identifies and prohibits discrimination based on disability. Title II of the ADA requires public entities to design new pedestrian facilities or alter existing pedestrian facilities to be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.

alternate pedestrian access route A temporary accessible route to be used when the existing pedestrian access route is blocked by construction, alteration, maintenance, or other temporary condition(s).

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alteration A change to a facility in the public right of way that affects or could affect access, circulation, or use.

Alterations include, but are not limited to, renovation; rehabilitation; reconstruction; historic restoration; resurfacing of circulation paths or vehicular ways; or changes or rearrangement of structural parts or elements of a facility.

Alterations do not include:

Spot pavement repair

Liquid-asphalt sealing, chip seal (bituminous surface treatment), or crack sealing

Lane restriping that does not alter the usability of the shoulder

bituminous surface treatment (BST) Also known as a seal coat or chip seal, a BST is a thin, protective wearing surface that is applied to the pavement.

buffer A space measured from the back of the curb to the edge of the sidewalk that could be treated with plantings or alternate pavement, or be used for needs such as drainage treatment or utility placement.

clear width The unobstructed width within a pedestrian circulation path. The clear width within a pedestrian circulation path must meet the accessibility criteria for a pedestrian access route.

construction impact zone The area in which an alteration to an existing facility takes place (also known as the project footprint). For a paving project, this zone encompasses the paving limits and all curb ramps adjacent to the paving limits.

counter slope The slope of the gutter or roadway at the foot of a curb ramp or landing where it connects to the roadway, measured along the axis of the running slope extended (see Exhibits 1510-9 and 1510-11).

cross slope The slope measured perpendicular to the direction of travel.

crosswalk A marked or unmarked pedestrian crossing, typically at an intersection, that connects the pedestrian access routes on opposite sides of a roadway. A crosswalk must meet accessibility criteria.

A crosswalk is also defined as:

“…the portion of the roadway between the intersection area and a prolongation or connection of the farthest sidewalk line or in the event there are no sidewalks then between the intersection area and a line ten feet therefrom, except as modified by a marked crosswalk” (RCW 46.04.160).

“(a) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs or in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway, and in the absence of a sidewalk on one side of the roadway, the part of the roadway included within the extension of the lateral lines of the sidewalk at right angles to the center line; (b) any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated as a pedestrian crossing by lines on the surface, which might be supplemented by contrasting pavement texture, style, or color” (MUTCD, 2003; Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities, AASHTO, 2004).

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curb extension A curb and sidewalk bulge or extension out into the parking lane used to decrease the length of a pedestrian crossing and increase visibility for the pedestrian and driver.

curb ramp A combined ramp and landing to accomplish a change in level at a curb. This element provides street and sidewalk access to pedestrians with mobility impairments.

parallel curb ramp A curb ramp design where the sidewalk slopes down to a landing at road level with the running slope of the ramp in line with the direction of sidewalk travel. (See Exhibits 1510-10 and 1510-11.)

perpendicular curb ramp A curb ramp design where the ramp path is perpendicular to the curb and meets the gutter grade break at a right angle (see Exhibits 1510-8 and 1510-9).

detectable warning surface A tactile surface feature of truncated dome material built into or applied to the walking surface to alert persons with visual impairments of vehicular ways. Federal yellow is the color used on WSDOT projects to achieve visual contrast. Colors other than federal yellow that meet the light-on-dark/dark-on- light requirement may be used on projects where cities have jurisdiction. (Detectable warning surfaces are detailed in the Standard Plans.)

driveway A vehicular access point that provides access to or from a public roadway.

element An architectural or mechanical component or design feature of a space, site, or public right of way.

facility All or any portion of buildings, structures, improvements, elements, and pedestrian or vehicular routes located in a public right of way.

feature A component of a pedestrian access route, such as a curb ramp, driveway, crosswalk, or sidewalk.

flangeway gap The gap for the train wheel at a railroad crossing. The space between the inner edge of a rail and the pedestrian crossing surface.

grade break The intersection of two adjacent surface planes of different grade.

landing A level paved area, within or at the top and bottom of a stair or ramp, designed to provide turning and maneuvering space for wheelchair users and as a resting place for pedestrians.

maximum extent feasible From the U.S. Department of Justice, 28 CFR Part 36.402, Alterations. The phrase “to the maximum extent feasible” applies to “the occasional case where the nature of an existing facility makes it virtually impossible to comply fully with applicable accessibility standards through a planned alteration.”

This phrase also refers to a stand-alone piece of design documentation that WSDOT uses to record its reasons for not being able to achieve full ADA compliance in alteration projects (called a Maximum Extent Feasible document).

midblock pedestrian crossing A marked pedestrian crossing located between intersections.

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passenger loading zone An area provided for pedestrians to board/disembark a vehicle.

pedestrian Any person afoot or using a wheelchair (manual or motorized) or means of conveyance (other than a bicycle) propelled by human power, such as skates or

a skateboard.

pedestrian access route (PAR) (synonymous with accessible route) A continuous, unobstructed walkway within a pedestrian circulation path that provides accessibility. Pedestrian access routes consist of one or more of the following pedestrian facilities: walkways/sidewalks, curb ramps (excluding flares), landings, crosswalks, pedestrian overpasses/underpasses, access ramps, elevators, and platform lifts.

Note: Not all transportation facilities need to accommodate pedestrians. However, those that do accommodate pedestrians need to have an accessible route.

pedestrian circulation path A prepared exterior or interior way of passage provided for pedestrian travel. Includes independent walkways, shared-use paths, sidewalks, and other types of pedestrian facilities. All pedestrian circulation paths are required to contain a continuous pedestrian access route that connects to all adjacent pedestrian facilities, elements, and spaces that are required to be accessible.

pedestrian facilities Walkways such as sidewalks, walking and hiking trails, shared-use paths, pedestrian grade separations, crosswalks, and other improvements provided for the benefit of pedestrian travel. Pedestrian facilities are intended to be accessible routes.

pedestrian overpass or underpass A grade-separated pedestrian facility, typically a bridge or tunnel structure over or under a major highway or railroad that allows pedestrians to cross.

pedestrian refuge island An island in the roadway that physically separates the directional flow of traffic, provides pedestrians with a place of refuge, and reduces the crossing distance. Note: Islands with cut-through paths are more accessible to persons with disabilities than are raised islands with curb ramps.

person with disability An individual who has an impairment, including a mobility, sensory, or cognitive impairment, that results in a functional limitation in access to and use of a building or facility.

railroad track crossings Locations where a pedestrian access route intersects and crosses a railroad track.

raised median A raised island in the center of a road used to restrict vehicle left turns and side street access. Note: Islands with cut-through paths are more accessible to persons with disabilities than are raised islands with curb ramps.

ramp A walking surface with a running slope steeper than 20H:1V (5%). roadway SeeChapter 1140.

running slope A slope measured in the direction of travel, normally expressed as a percent.

sidewalk A walkway along a highway, road, or street that is intended for use by pedestrians.

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sidewalk ramp	Seecurb ramp.

site A parcel of land bounded by a property line or a designated portion of a public right of way.

street furniture Sidewalk equipment or furnishings, including garbage cans, benches, parking meters, and telephone booths.

traffic calming Design techniques that have been shown to reduce traffic speeds and unsafe maneuvers. These techniques can be stand-alone or used in combination, and they include lane narrowing, curb extensions, surface variations, and visual clues in the vertical plane.

transitional segments Segments of a pedestrian circulation path that blend between existing undisturbed pedestrian facilities and newly altered pedestrian facilities. Use of transitional segments may permit the work of the alteration to more nearly meet the new construction standards. At a later time, when other segments of the pedestrian circulation path are altered, the noncomplying transitional segments can be removed and replaced with pedestrian facilities that meet the accessibility criteria.

traveled way A route provided for vehicular traffic. The portion of the roadway intended for the movement of vehicles, exclusive of shoulders and lanes for parking, turning, and storage for turning.

truncated domes Small raised protrusions of a detectible warning surface that are readily detected and understood by a person with a vision-impairment who uses the sense of touch for guidance. The Standard Plans shows the appropriate pattern and dimensions.

universal access Access for all persons regardless of ability or stature.

walk interval That phase of a traffic signal cycle during which the pedestrian is to begin crossing, typically indicated by a WALK message or the walking person symbol and its audible equivalent.

walkway The continuous portion of the pedestrian access route that is connected to street crossings by curb ramps.

1510.04 Policy

(1)General

It is WSDOT policy to provide appropriate pedestrian facilities along and across sections of state routes and city streets as an integral part of the transportation system. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and WSDOT policy is that bicycle and pedestrian facilities be given full consideration in the planning and design of new construction and reconstruction highway projects, except where bicycle and pedestrian use is prohibited. The WSDOT planning process determines what facilities or services will be provided where in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and codes.

(2)Jurisdiction

Proposed projects in public rights of way must address ADA compliance as described in this chapter. (See 1510.05 for ADA requirements by project type.) Regardless of which public agency has jurisdiction within the right of way, the public agency that is

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sponsoring the project is responsible for ensuring that ADA compliance is addressed on their project. When project work occurs inside an incorporated city that has jurisdiction beyond the curbs (RCW 47.24.020), pedestrian facilities may be designed using the city design standards adopted in accordance with RCW 35.78.030 and the most current ADA requirements. Document the coordination with the city in the Design Documentation Package (DDP). Refer to Chapter 300 for discussion about the DDP.

When city streets form a part of the state highway system within the corporate limits of cities and towns, the city has full responsibility for and control over any facilities beyond the curbs and, if no curb is installed, beyond that portion of the highway used for highway purposes (RCW 47.24.020). The title to limited access facilities within incorporated cities and towns remains with the state. If a turnback agreement has not been completed, the state maintains full jurisdiction within these areas (see Chapters 510, 520, and 530).

(3)Maintenance

As noted in 1510.01, Title II of the ADA requires that a public entity maintain in operable working condition those features of facilities and equipment that are required to be readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.

1510.05 ADA Requirements by Project Type

Wherever pedestrian facilities are intended to be a part of the transportation facility, federal regulations (28 CFR Part 35) require that those pedestrian facilities meet ADA guidelines. All new construction or alteration of existing transportation facilities must be designed and constructed to be accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities. FHWA is one of the federal agencies designated by the Department of Justice to ensure compliance with the ADA for transportation projects.

(1)New Construction Projects

New construction projects address the construction of a new roadway, interchange, or other transportation facility where none existed before. For these projects, pedestrians’ needs are assessed and included in the project. All pedestrian facilities included in these projects must meet the accessibility criteria when built.

(2) Alteration Projects

Any project that has the potential to affect pedestrian access, circulation, or use of a pedestrian facility is classified as an alteration project. Alteration projects include, but are not limited to, renovation; rehabilitation; reconstruction; historic restoration; resurfacing of circulation paths or vehicular ways; or changes or rearrangement of structural parts or elements of a facility. Where existing elements or spaces are

altered, each altered element or space within the limits of the project shall comply with the applicable requirements for new construction to the maximum extent feasible.

The following are some examples of project types that are classified as alteration projects and can potentially trigger ADA requirements:

HMA overlay or inlay

Traffic signal installation or retrofit

Roadway widening

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Realignment of a roadway (vertical or horizontal)

Sidewalk improvements

PCCP panel repair/replacement

Bridge replacement

Raised channelization

The following are not considered alterations:

Spot pavement repair

Liquid-asphalt sealing, chip seal (BST), or crack sealing

Lane restriping that does not alter the usability of the shoulder

If there is uncertainty as to whether a project meets the definition of an alteration project, consult with the Regional ADA Coordinator.

The following apply to alteration projects:

All new pedestrian facilities included in an alteration project that are put in place within an existing developed right of way must meet new construction requirements to the maximum extent feasible. All new pedestrian facilities included in an alteration project must meet new construction requirements to the maximum extent feasible.

All existing pedestrian facilities disturbed by construction of an alteration project must be replaced. The replacement facilities must meet new construction requirements to the maximum extent feasible.

An alteration project shall not decrease or have the effect of decreasing the accessibility of a pedestrian facility or an accessible connection to an adjacent building or site below the ADA accessibility requirements in effect at the time of the alteration.

Within the construction impact zone of an alteration project, any existing connection from a pedestrian access route to a crosswalk (marked or unmarked) that is missing a required curb ramp must have a curb ramp installed that meets new construction requirements to the maximum extent feasible. (See 1510.09(2) for curb ramp accessibility criteria.)

A crosswalk served by a curb ramp must also have an existing curb ramp in place on the receiving end unless there is no curb or sidewalk on that end of the crosswalk (RCW 35.68.075). If there is no existing curb ramp in place on the receiving end, an accessible curb ramp must be provided. This requirement must be met regardless of whether the receiving end of the crosswalk is located within the project’s limits.

Within the construction impact zone of an alteration project, evaluate all existing curb ramps to determine whether curb ramp design elements meet the accessibility criteria. (See 1510.09(2) for curb ramp accessibility criteria.) Modify existing curb ramps that do not meet the accessibility criteria to meet new construction requirements to the maximum extent feasible. This may also trigger modification of other adjacent pedestrian facilities to incorporate transitional segments in order to ensure specific elements of a curb ramp will meet the accessibility criteria.

Within the construction impact zone of an alteration project that includes HMA overlay (or inlay) of an existing roadway and does not include reconstruction, realignment, nor widening of the roadway, evaluate all existing marked and

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unmarked crosswalks. (See 1510.10(2) for crosswalk accessibility criteria.) If it is not possible to meet the new construction requirements for crosswalks, document this in the DDP.

Within the construction impact zone of an alteration project that includes reconstruction, realignment, or widening of the roadway, evaluate all existing crosswalks (marked or unmarked) to determine whether crosswalk design elements meet the accessibility criteria. (See 1510.10(2) for crosswalk accessibility criteria.) Modify crosswalk slopes to meet new construction requirements to the maximum extent feasible.

It may not always be possible to fully meet the new construction standards during alterations of existing facilities. If such a situation is encountered, consult with the Regional ADA Coordinator to develop a workable solution to meet the accessibility requirements to the maximum extent feasible. If it is determined to be virtually impossible to meet the accessibility criteria, document the decision via a Maximum Extent Feasible (MEF) document. Cost is not to be used as a justification for not meeting the accessibility criteria. Physical terrain or site conditions that would require structural impacts, environmental impacts, or unacceptable impacts to the community in order to achieve full compliance with the accessibility criteria are some of the factors that can be used to determine that the maximum extent feasible is achieved. The MEF document will be reviewed by the appropriate Assistant State Design Engineer (ASDE) and the HQ ADA Compliance Manager. If acceptable, the MEF document will be approved and included in the DDP. Depending on the scale and extent of the MEF document, documentation may be approved in the region with HQ ADA Compliance Manager and ASDE concurrence.

1510.06 Pedestrian Circulation Paths

Pedestrian circulation paths are prepared exterior or interior ways of passage provided for pedestrian travel. They include independent walkways, sidewalks, shared-use paths, and other types of pedestrian facilities. Pedestrian circulation paths can either be immediately adjacent to streets and highways or separated from them by a buffer. Examples of pedestrian circulation paths are shown in Exhibit 1510-1.

When the pedestrian circulation path is located behind guardrail, address protruding bolts. Installation of a rub rail or a “W-beam” guardrail on the pedestrian side of the posts are options to mitigate potential snagging that also serve as a guide for sight-impaired pedestrians.

Provide a smooth finish to vertical surfaces adjacent to a pedestrian circulation path to mitigate potential snagging or abrasive injuries from accidental contact with the surface. Where adjacent walkway segments diverge, such as can occur if a parallel curb ramp does not occupy the entire width of a pedestrian circulation path, any resulting dropoffs must be protected to prevent trips or falls.

When relocation of utility poles and other fixtures is necessary for a project, determine the impact of their new location on all pedestrian circulation paths. Look for opportunities to relocate obstructions, such as existing utility objects, from the pedestrian circulation path.

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