36 CFR Part 1190, Proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)

Overview of Proposed Guidelines

The proposed guidelines apply to pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way. The proposed guidelines define the public right-of-way to mean “public land or property, usually in interconnected corridors, that is acquired for or dedicated to transportation purposes” (see R105.5). The proposed guidelines ensure that the following facilities for pedestrian circulation and use located in the public right-of- way are readily accessible to and usable by pedestrians with disabilities:

• Sidewalks, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, and other pedestrian circulation paths, including requirements for pedestrian access routes, alternate pedestrian access routes when pedestrian circulation paths are temporarily closed, and protruding objects along or overhanging pedestrian circulation paths;

• Pedestrian street crossings, medians, and pedestrian refuge islands, including requirements for curb ramps or blended transitions, and detectable warning surfaces;

• Pedestrian street crossings at roundabouts, including requirements for detectable edge treatments where pedestrian crossing is not intended, and pedestrian activated signals at multi-lane pedestrian street crossings;

• Pedestrian street crossings at multi-lane channelized turn lanes at roundabouts and at other signalized intersections, including requirements for pedestrian activated signals;

• Pedestrian signals, including requirements for accessible pedestrian signals and pedestrian pushbuttons;

• Transit stops and transit shelters for buses and light rail vehicles, including requirements for boarding and alighting areas at sidewalk or street level, boarding platforms, and route signs;

• Pedestrian at-grade rail crossings, including requirements for flangeway gaps;

• On-street parking that is marked or metered, and passenger loading zones;

• Pedestrian signs, including requirements for visible characters on signs and alternative requirements for audible sign systems and other technologies;

• Street furniture for pedestrian use, including drinking fountains, public toilet facilities, tables, counters, and benches; and

• Ramps, stairways, escalators, handrails, doors, doorways, and gates.