ADA Build - Disabled Parking and Public Right of Ways

Technical note on Disabled Parking Specifications and Public Right of Way issues.

I. Psychology and Statistics of Disabled Parking Users.

III. What about parking in public right of ways?

IV. Parking Section Extract- Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way - June 17,2002

I. Psychology and Statistics of Disabled Parking Users.

The specifications for disabled parking spots are reasonably simple but use of them is very complex. First some axioms - I wish these were humorous but unfortunately they are true.

1. There are too many disabled parking permits.

2. There is no uniform federal standard for who qualifies for permits.

3. Some people use stolen permits, permits purchased on E-Bay, a family member's permit when they are not in the car, or even a deceased persons permit.

4. In some states delivery vans may use them as loading zones as long as the driver doesn't leave the vehicle. This is permitted in Oregon.

5. Shoppers will leave empty grocery carts in the access isles.

6. When able-bodied people survey disabled parking spots they will be mostly empty. (The empty bus syndrome).

7. Some disabled permit holders will park in the access isle. In Oregon this is the same as parking in a disabled spot without a permit and carries the maximum penalty.

8. Some single disabled parking spots have the access isle on the drivers side meets the ANSI A117.1 specification but this is quite difficult to use by disabled drivers backing in a van with outside lift control switches in the rear. If only one spot is provided it must be van-accessible and have the wider access isle. See Technote: Scoping and Usability of Van Accessible Disabled Parking Spots

9. Motorcycles will park in the access isles.

10. If there is a van accessible spot closest to the entrance of a building in a row of multiple spots a non-van user will always be parked in the first spot. Recommendation: In a row of multiple disabled parking spots place the van accessible spot the furthest away from the building entrance. See Technote: Scoping and Usability of Van Accessible Disabled Parking Spots

11. We focus on wheel chair users but the most disabled in terms of parking are people still walking with mobility and distance limitations -- people using walkers, canes, crutches or even appearing to walk normally.

12. Dumpsters will be stored in the access isles.

II. Scoping of Disabled Parking spots -- (Scoping = how many spots are required in what locations).

The scoping part of the specifications (ADAAG 1993) is difficult to interpret since they assume that one in ever eight spaces must be van accessible - 96" access isle. The problem is that no one knows what a van accessible spot is except for people with vans. Also, the scoping applies to parking lots or structures where all the disabled parking is in one location of the lot. The ADAAG applies to buildings and facilities - not public right of ways. So it does not apply to an area of city streets with mostly on-street parking.

III. What about parking in public right of ways?

There is a June 2002 draft Public right of Ways specification that clarifies this to specify one disabled parking spot in every block face and that every spot be van accessible. This draft specification requires some common sense interpretations of the following items

1. How big is a block -- short ones as opposed to mile long blocks in some cites - but how short? I think the downtown Corvallis, OR blocks are short enough. The one mile blocks in Tucson, AZ are too long.

2. Does this apply to residential areas -- not addressed by the specification. Logic says that it does not apply to residential areas as long as the city is open to specific requests from a disabled resident.

3. Does this apply to new construction only -- I am not clear this is the case. Does this mean new road construction or adjacent new building construction? My logic says it should be done with a specific plan and schedule over several years without regard to new construction. It can easily be done a spot at a time to increase disabled access to our downtown areas.

Pay close attention to 1109.5 Obstructions - many towns have signs, trees and planter boxes on the sidewalk which prevent the use of a side lift van.

IV. Parking Section Extract- Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way - June 17,2002
See: http://www.access-board.gov/rowdraft.htm

1109.1 General. Car and van on-street parking spaces shall comply with 1109.

1109.2 Parallel Parking Spaces. An access aisle at least 60 inches (1525 mm) wide shall be provided at street level the full length of the parking space. The access aisle shall connect to a pedestrian access route serving the space. The access aisle shall not encroach on the vehicular travel lane.
EXCEPTION: An access aisle is not required where the width of the sidewalk between the extension of the normal curb and boundary of the public right-of-way is less than 14 feet (4270 mm). When an access aisle is not provided, the parking space shall be located at the end of the block face.

1109.3 Perpendicular or Angled Parking Spaces. Where perpendicular or angled parking is provided, an access aisle 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum shall be provided at street level the full length of the parking space and shall connect to a pedestrian access route serving the space. Access aisles shall be marked so as to discourage parking in them.

1109.4 Curb Ramps or Blended Transition. A curb ramp or blended transition complying with 1104 shall connect the access aisle to the pedestrian access route.

1109.5 Obstructions. There shall be no obstructions on the sidewalk adjacent to and for the full length of the space.
EXCEPTION: This provision shall not apply to parking signs complying with 1109.6 and parking meters complying with 1109.7.2.

1109.6 Signs. Parking spaces shall be designated as reserved by a sign complying with 502.6. Signs shall be located at the head or foot of the parking space so as not to interfere with the operation of a side lift or a passenger side transfer.

1109.7 Parking Meters. Where parking meters are provided, they shall comply with 1109.7.

1109.7.1 Operable Parts. Operable parts shall comply with 309.

1109.7.2 Location. A parking meter shall be located at the head or foot of the parking space so as not to interfere with the operation of a side lift or a passenger side transfer.
EXCEPTION: Where parking meters are not provided at the space, but payment for parking in the space is included in a centralized collection box or paying station, the space shall be connected to the centralized collection point with a pedestrian access route.

1109.7.3 Displays and Information. Displays and information shall be visible from a point located 40 inches (1015 mm) maximum above the center of the clear floor space in front of the meter.
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1102 Scoping Requirements

1102.1 General. All areas of newly designed and newly constructed facilities in public rights-of-way and altered portions of existing facilities in public rights-of-way shall comply with Chapter 11.

1102.2 Existing Public Rights-of-Way. Additions to existing public rights-of-way shall comply with 1102.2.1. Alterations to existing public rights-of-way shall comply with 1102.2.2.

1102.2.1 Additions. Each addition to an existing public right-of-way shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 11. Where the addition connects with existing construction, the connection shall comply with 1102.2.2.

1102.2.2 Alterations. Where existing elements or spaces in the public right-of-way are altered, each altered element or space shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 11.
EXCEPTION: In alterations, where compliance with applicable provisions is technically infeasible, the alteration shall comply to the maximum extent feasible.

1102.2.2.1 Extent of Application. An alteration of an existing element, space, or area of a public right-of-way shall not impose a requirement for accessibility greater than required for new construction.

1102.2.2.2 Prohibited Reduction in Access. An alteration that decreases or has the effect of decreasing the accessibility of a public right-of-way or site arrival points to buildings or facilities adjacent to the altered portion of the public right-of-way, below the requirements for new construction at the time of the alteration is prohibited.
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1102.14 On-Street Parking. Where on-street parking is provided, at least one accessible on-street parking space shall be located on each block face and shall comply with 1109.
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