ADA Requirements for Visually Impaired Pedestrians

There are approximately 25.2 million visually impaired Americans, which is roughly half of the entire U.S. disabled population and this number is rapidly growing. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has been in force since 1990. Compliance, however has been very limited when it comes to temporary pedestrian access routes. The act requires that pedestrian accessibility must be maintained in work zones. Up until now, the emphasis on work zone safety has been focused on vehicle traffic and workers. But, pedestrians actually make up a larger portion of the traveling public, and an increased effort is now being made to improve conditions, especially for those with disabilities in temporary sidewalk and work zones. This article presents some of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) guidelines for use with temporary work zones. These guidelines include, but are not limited to: (1) define detoured routes clearly; (2) separate pedestrians from traffic and work zone equipment; (3) ensure temporary routes are not much longer than the original route; (4) provide clear guidance to delineate a temporary route; (5) maintain access to businesses, residences, facilities, etc.; and (6) provide audible signage for pedestrians with visual disabilities.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/7529443
• Authors:
  • Terova, Sue
• Publication Date: 2013

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 55, 57
• Serial:
  • IMSA Journal
  • Volume: L1
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: International Municipal Signal Association
  • ISSN: 10642560
  • Serial URL: http://www.imsasafety.org

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Audible pedestrian signals; Pedestrian traffic; Sidewalks; Temporary barriers; Traffic control devices; Visually impaired persons; Work zone traffic control
• Identifier Terms: Americans with Disabilities Act; Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I85: Safety Devices used in Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01492015
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 3 2013 12:30PM