Department of Transportation

Resources

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plans: A Guide to Best Management Practices
Jacobs Engineering Group, National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project Number 20-7 (232), May 2009.
This guide is organized into two main sections: "Steps to Compliance" and "Findings and Best Practices of State DOTs". Its purpose is to document and share successful practices on the development and updating of Transition Plans among Departments of Transportation (DOTs).

ADA Regulations and Technical Assistance Materials
United States (US) Department of Justice, 2009.
This resource provides links to US Department of Justice regulations and resources regarding the ADA. The section titled State and Local Governments: Technical Assistance Manuals and Publications provides links to relevant resources including Title II Technical Assistance Manual, Chapter 6 - New Constuction and Alterations and Accessibility of State and Local Government Websites to People with Disabilities (pdf 223k).

ADA Compliance at Transportation Agencies: A Review of Practices
Cesar Quiroga, Shawn Turner, Texas Transportation Institute, September 2008.
The purpose of NCHRP Project 20-07, Task 249, Asset Management Approaches to ADA Compliance, "was to gather information and develop a synthesis of practices, including best practices, on the various approaches transportation agencies use to address ADA compliance issues. The synthesis covered three main topics: asset data inventory, asset condition assessment and programming of asset improvements." The analysis focused on pedestrian infrastructure on the public right-of-way, including elements such as sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian crossings and obstructions (while excluding buildings, facilities or transit infrastructure). The synthesis also included an extensive listing of asset inventory and condition data elements, intended to be used as a foundation for the development of inventory programs that meet individual agency needs.

ADA Best Practices Tool Kit for State and Local Governments
US Department of Justice, May 2007.
Chapter 6 of this resource, "Curb Ramps and Pedestrian Crossings Under Title II of the ADA", focuses on requirements of Title II of the ADA relating to curb ramps at pedestrian crossings. The chapter contains background on the ADA requirements, design standards, pictures and information on ensuring compliance.

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practices
NCHRP Project 3-62, Guidelines for Accessible Pedestrian Signals, June 2007.
The Web site content from this Best Practices guide was adapted from the NCHRP Project 3-62 research study, which used extensive field testing to determine which accessible pedestrian signals features and locations are most beneficial for blind and visually impaired pedestrians. The report (pdf 13.9m) is designed to be a contractor's guide and is heavily focused on the technical aspects of designing and constructing accessible pedestrian signals.

Special Report: Assessible Public Rights-of-Way Planning and Design for Alterations
Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee, Subcommitte on Technical Assistance, August 2007.
This report and recommendation were created by the Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee to provide technical assistance for complying with provisions of the ADA. Chapter 7 of the report contains information and resources from the US Department of Justice, the US Access Board, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Institute for Transportation Engineers, NCHRP and several state DOTs.

AASHTO Guide for the Planning, Design and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities
AASHTO, 2004.
From the abstract: "The purpose of this guide is to provide guidance on the planning, design and operation of pedestrian facilities along streets and highways. Specifically, the guide focuses on identifying effective measures for accomodating pedestrians on public rights-of-way. Appropriate methods for accommodating pedestrians, which vary among roadway and facility types, are described in this guide. The primary audiences for this manual are planners, roadway designers and transportation engineers, whether at the state or local level, the majority of whom make decisions on a daily basis that affect pedestrians. This guide also recognizes the profound effect that land use planning and site design have on pedestrian mobility and addresses these topics as well."

US Access Board, Public Rights of Way
The US Access Board is creating new guidelines for public rights-of-way that will address various issues, including access for blind pedestrians at street crossings and wheelchair access to on-street parking. The Web site provides information and links to Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee (PROWAG), US Access Board and FHWA materials and research as a resource until the guidelines are complete.

The files listed above are in Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the files, which is available free from our state Adobe Access page.



Last updated date: October 23, 2019 9:08 AM