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Vol. 7, Winter '98

[ Accomodating the Disabled ] [ Facilitator Training ] [ MUTCD ] [ NHI Courses ]
[ Completed Activities ] [ Technology ] [ Traffic Calming ]

Accommodating the Disabled

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that new and altered transportation facilities accommodate persons with disabilities. Title II of ADA covers new sidewalks and streets provided by or on behalf of a state or local government. Curb ramps are specifically required in the Department of Justice title II regulation at 35.151 New Construction and alterations. The following requirements are made for the facilities specified:

1. Curb Ramps

2. Sidewalks

3. Street Crossings

4. Temporary Work

5. Other Pedestrian Facilities

For more information regarding the ADA and related publications/videos, contact the U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board’s technical assistance line at 800-872-2253 (voice) or 800-993-2822 (TTY).

Update On Pedestrian Safety Road Show:
Facilitator Training Session A Success

Facilitator Training sessions for the community-based safety and accommodation pedestrian program, the Pedestrian Safety Road Show, were held in South Lake Tahoe, CA; Steamboat Springs, CO; Albany, NY; and Lakewood, WA. In attendance were representatives from State and local agencies, NHTSA, FHWA, and the Governor's Offices of Highway Safety. The final session for 1997 will be held in Tallahassee, FL November 12-14.

The Pedestrian Road Show encourages the formation of a local group of pedestrian advocates, local agency officials, and political decision-makings to identify and solve specific local problems that affect pedestrian safety and walkability. The Road Show also explains what tools are available to the local communities. A unique aspect of the Road Show is that it has been developed to allow the field offices to take a leadership role in delivering "pedestrian" technology to local communities by becoming a facilitator and presenting Pedestrian Road Shows in local communities. Training will be accelerated in 1998, and you are invited to take advantage of this opportunity to have someone trained or to host a session. Contact Leverson Boodlal at 202-366-8044 for information and check out the homepage at www.ota.fhwa.dot.gov/walk/.

MUTCD Update

The FHWA is in the process of revising the 1988 MUTCD. The Notification of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Part 4 (which includes pedestrian signals) was issued in the January 6 Federal Register. The comment period closed on December 22. The NPRM for Part 7 (School Areas) was issued on December 5 and will be open for comments until September 9, 1998. The NPRM for Part 9 (Traffic Controls for Bicycle Facilities) is scheduled to be issued in July 1998. Comments can be made via our Rulemaking Home Page at http://www.ohs.fhwa.dot.gov/devices/mutcd.html.

NHI Courses

The following course is recommended to increase awareness of Pedestrian/Bicycle safety and accommodation:

  • Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Accommodation Course, NHI 38061

(Contact, Lynn Cadaar 703-235-0528, or check the NHI web page for this and other information,http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov.)

 Upcoming Conferences- 1998
  1. International Trails and Greenways Conference
    January 28-31
    San Diego, CA
    (Contact: Andy Clarke, 202-331-9696)
  2. ITS America 8th Annual Meeting
    May 4-6
    Detroit, MI
    (Contact: Bonnie Jessup, 202-484-2896)
  3. ITE Annual Meeting
    August 9-12
    Toronto, Canada
    (Contact: 202-554-8050)
  4. AASHTO Annual Meeting
    November 6-10
    Boston, MA
    (Contact: Hannah Whitney, 202-624-5800)

Completed Activity

Technology Corner

The following locations are looking into the use of innovative pedestrian devices:

If you are using innovative technologies, please tell us about them.

Previous Issues

The Pedestrian Forum is available on the Home Page at http://www.ota.fhwa.dot.gov/walk.Topics covered were:

Traffic Calming

Traffic calming means different things to different persons, from lowering motor vehicle speeds to involving transportation policy issues. If we accept the ITE definition, "traffic calming is the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users." The definition and its interpretation were developed to be broad enough to apply to many places and situations, but narrow enough to have a definite meaning.

The categories of traffic calming measures include: vertical changes in the street (e.g., speed humps, speed tables, raised intersections), lateral changes in the street (e.g., chicanes, off-set intersections, lateral shifts), restrictions in road width (e.g., edge treatments), intersection treatments (e.g., traffic circles, reduced corner radii), and related streetscaping.

Neckdowns: Physical reduction of road width at intersections or mid-block Diagonal Diverters: A barrier placed diagonally across a four-legged intersection.
Raised Intersection: A raised plateau of roadway where roads intersect. Speed Hump: Speed humps are wave-shaped,paved humps in the street.
Traffic Circle: Traffic circles are raised circular areas placed in an existing intersection.

Traffic calming goals include: improving the quality of life; incorporating the preferences and requirements of residents using the area; creating safer, walkable and more attractive streets; promoting pedestrian, bicycle and transit use. The objectives include: reducing the frequency and severity of crashes, increasing the safety for non-motorized users, enhancing the street environment, achieving slower speeds for motor vehicles, improving access for all modes of transportation, reducing the level of enforcement, reductions in air pollution, and reducing cut-through motor vehicle traffic. The goals and objectives allow traffic calming to be related to other policies, plans, etc. They demonstrate that traffic calming involves much more than just motor vehicle issues.

(Continued in Spring Issue)

Editors:
Leverson Boodlal
(Office of Technology Applications, FHWA, HTA-30)

Tamara Broberg
(Office of Highway Safety, FHWA, HHS-10)

Address: USDOT, FHWA, 400 7th St. SW, Washington, DC 20590

Our Challenge is to create an environment of change
in which all communities "buy into" the concept of
Pedestrian safety and walkability

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