sidewalk guidelines
sidewalk access and federal standards
sidewalk guidelines
sidewalk access
and federal standards
our involvement
From 1993 to 1994, Peter Axelson served a voluntary role on the U.S. Access Board’s Recreation Access Advisory Committee and, through this position, helped draft the Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines. As a result, the Department of Transportation sought out help from Peter for improving the accessibility of public rights-of-ways (sidewalks) adjacent to the many federal highways and business routes. Beneficial Designs was contracted by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to write the two-part publication, Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access. As it turns out, the FHWA returns a portion of the gas tax money to the states for the construction of trails that serve a transportation component for pedestrians and cyclists, off road vehicles, and multi-use outdoor recreation trails. Part I, published in July 1999, reviewed the existing guidelines and practices. Part II, published in September of 2001, provides a guide to the best practices in designing accessible sidewalks and trails.
In order to do complete this work, the first step was to look at existing practices. Peter traveled extensively around the Western United States to meet with various city planners and extensively photograph and review sidewalk designs in various cities. In addition, staff member Julie Kirschbaum performed the technical research, assembling existing guidelines and practices for sidewalks. Patty Longmuir performed the same work for different kinds of trail standards, from equestrian to OHV to hiking trails.
As Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access was being prepared for publication, the U.S. Access Board organized the Public Rights-of-Way Advisory Committee. Julie Krischbaum, on behalf of BD, participated in the development of design standards for accessible public rights-of-way. In November of 2005, the U.S. Access Board released revised draft guidelines for the purpose of gathering further information. The proposed guidelines were then published for public comment in 2011. As a result, other publications have been written, including the report on Accessible Public Rights-of-Way Planning and Design for Alterations.
sidewalk assessment
Beneficial Designs subsequently applied to the Department of Transportation’s Small Business Innovation Research Program to develop the semi-automated Public Rights-of-Way Assessment Process (PROWAP). This equipment and software allow for the rapid assessment of the public right-of-way and support the services that BD provides for the assessment of sidewalks in cities.
sidewalk access
The public right-of-way environment can and should provide a safe and enjoyable means of transportation for all people. However, because of the broad range of user abilities, sidewalks can often times hinder or even block access. Therefore, assessing the sidewalk environment is essential and foundational in order to best serve and protect the public, meet federal regulations, and prevent any liability.
sidewalk access
every sidewalk environment should...
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Public streets and sidewalks are the common means by which individuals of a society access and participate in their community. The mode of transportation varies widely between train, automobile, foot, wheelchair, stroller, bike, and more. Public rights-of-way serve many additional functions as well, such as access to power, utility, and private property, thus adding to the complexity. With so many users and functions, public rights-of-way demand a high standard of universal design in order to meet a variety of needs and abilities. The Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee’s (PROWAAC) special report from 2007, entitled Accessible Public Rights-of-Way Planning and Design for Alterations, explains:
Designs are now expected to reflect equity and context and to balance pedestrian and vehicular use. The design pedestrian is now understood to be not an individual but a range of users—children, elders, people pushing or pulling strollers and delivery carts, using a wheelchair or scooter, or traveling with a long/white cane or a service animal—for all of whom the roadway and pedestrian environment must function effectively.
All individuals should be provided the right to fully participate in their communities. When certain individuals with specific abilities are not considered in the design of public rights-of-way, those individuals are inadvertently excluded from access to their communities, becoming isolated from the rest of society. Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access; Best Practices and Design Guide Part 2 states:
If neighborhoods do not have a safe, comfortable, and convenient pedestrian system, this can leave people isolated in their own homes and unable to participate in everyday activities. Given the broad influence of environmental factors on the individual’s level of function, professionals who design or construct sidewalk or trail environments have a significant influence over whether individuals will be able to use and enjoy the sidewalk and trail environments that they create….
When a person’s independence is denied because of facilities not being accessible, the person, their family, and society pays the cost of their isolation and dependence.
Limitations on the use of public facilities do not only negatively affect a significant portion of society, but now constitute a federal crime. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in private as well as state and local government sectors. By requiring access to programs and services, transportation, the built environment, employment, and communication, the ADA effectively enforces careful consideration of individuals of all abilities in the design and construction of new facilities and the alteration of existing facilities. Designing public environments for only a specific portion of society is not an option. However, the ADA requirements represent the minimum design standards. Designers are encouraged to go above and beyond the federal regulations, considering how best to creatively provide safe, comfortable, and easy access for people of all abilities.
the Law
federal regulations
current laws
Although the 2015 ABA Standards and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design briefly address certain requirements for the sidewalk environment, further specifications are necessary for an accessible sidewalk.
On 8 August 2023, the U.S. Access Board published the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) final rule.
On 3 July 2024, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) adopted PROWAG as part of the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards.
On 18 December 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) adopted PROWAG as part of the DOT Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards for Accessible Design. The new DOT requirements will specifically apply to new construction and alteration of transit stops in the public right-of-way.
The guidelines will also soon be adopted by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of the DOJ ADA Standards for Accessibility.
In the meantime, compliance with best practices is the best solution to avoiding discrimination and ensuring open access to all. As the U.S. Access Board points out, “Jurisdictions must continue to design and construct new and altered pedestrian facilities that are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.”1
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 states the following information below. Click a subheading to expand.
all entities must...
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Title II of the ADA, 28 CFR Section 35.105:
- A public entity shall, within one year of the effective date of this part, evaluate its current services, policies, and practices, and the effects thereof, that do not or may not meet the requirements of this part and, to the extent modification of any such services, policies, and practices is required, the public entity shall proceed to make the necessary modifications.
- A public entity shall provide an opportunity to interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities, to participate in the self-evaluation process by submitting comments.
- A public entity that employs 50 or more persons shall, for at least three years following completion of the self-evaluation, maintain on file and make available for public inspection:
- A list of the interested persons consulted;
- A description of areas examined and any problems identified; and
- A description of any modifications made.
Title II of the ADA, 28 CFR Section 35.150(d)(1):
In the event that structural changes to facilities will be undertaken to achieve program accessibility, a public entity that employs 50 or more persons shall develop, within six months of January 26, 1992, a transition plan setting forth the steps necessary to complete such changes. A public entity shall provide an opportunity to interested persons, including individuals with disabilities or organizations representing individuals with disabilities, to participate in the development of the transition plan by submitting comments. A copy of the transition plan shall be made available for public inspection.
Title II of the ADA, 28 CFR Section 35.150(d)(3):
The plan shall, at a minimum –
- Identify physical obstacles in the public entity’s facilities that limit the accessibility of its programs or activities to individuals with disabilities;
- Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the facilities accessible;
- Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve compliance with this section and, if the time period of the transition plan is longer than one year, identify steps that will be taken during each year of the transition period; and
- Indicate the official responsible for implementation of the plan.
Title II of the ADA, 28 CFR Section 35.150(d)(2):
If a public entity has responsibility or authority over streets, roads, or walkways, its transition plan shall include a schedule for providing curb ramps or other sloped areas where pedestrian walks cross curbs, giving priority to walkways serving entities covered by the Act, including State and local government offices and facilities, transportation, places of public accommodation, and employers, followed by walkways serving other areas.
Title II of the ADA, 28 CFR Section 35.150(d)(3):
The plan shall, at a minimum –
- Identify physical obstacles in the public entity’s facilities that limit the accessibility of its programs or activities to individuals with disabilities;
- Describe in detail the methods that will be used to make the facilities accessible;
- Specify the schedule for taking the steps necessary to achieve compliance with this section and, if the time period of the transition plan is longer than one year, identify steps that will be taken during each year of the transition period; and
- Indicate the official responsible for implementation of the plan.
Title II of the ADA, 28 CFR Section 35.133:
- A public entity shall 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 by the Act or this part.
- This section does not prohibit isolated or temporary interruptions in service or access due to maintenance or repairs.
- If the 2010 Standards reduce the technical requirements or the number of required accessible elements below the number required by the 1991 Standards, the technical requirements or the number of accessible elements in a facility subject to this part may be reduced in accordance with the requirements of the 2010 Standards.
1 United States Access Board, “Chapter 1: Introduction” in “Special Report: Accessible Public Rights-of-Way Planning and Design for Alterations”, accessed 5 November 2019, https://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/streets-sidewalks/public-rights-of-way/guidance-and-research/accessible-public-rights-of-way-planning-and-design-for-alterations/chapter-1%E2%80%94introduction
Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines
To see the proposed accessibility guidelines for the public right-of-way, please click on the button below.