36 CFR Part 1191 ABA Accessibility Guidelines, Outdoor Developed Areas - Preamble

1016 Outdoor Recreation Access Routes

1016.1 General

This section contains the technical requirements for outdoor recreation access routes. The technical requirements address the surface of outdoor recreation access routes, passing spaces, and resting intervals (1016.2); the clear width of outdoor recreation access routes (1016.3); passing spaces (1016.4); obstacles (1016.5); openings (1016.6); slopes, including running slope (1016.7.1) and cross slope (1016.7.2); resting intervals (1016.8); and protruding objects (1016.9).

Three exceptions are provided. Exception 1 applies to alterations of existing camping facilities, picnic facilities, and trailheads. Exception 2 applies to new construction and alterations of viewing areas. When an entity determines that a condition in 1019 does not permit full compliance with a specific provision in 1016 on a portion of an outdoor recreation access route, Exceptions 1 and 2 permit the portion of the outdoor recreation access route to comply with the provision to the extent practicable. Exception 3 exempts outdoor recreation access routes that are provided within vehicular ways from complying with the technical requirements for passing spaces (1016.4); running slope (1016.7.1) and cross slope (1016.7.2); and resting intervals (1016.8).

1016.2 Surface

This section requires the surface of outdoor recreation access routes, passing spaces, and resting intervals to be firm and stable.

1016.3 Clear Width

This section requires the clear width of outdoor recreation access routes to be 36 inches minimum.

1016.4 Passing Spaces

This section requires passing spaces to be provided at intervals of 200 feet maximum where the clear width of outdoor recreation access routes is less than 60 inches. Entities should consider providing either 60 inches minimum clear width on outdoor recreation access routes or passing spaces at shorter intervals where the route is heavily used or adjoins elements, spaces, or facilities that are heavily used; or where the route is a boardwalk or otherwise not at the same level as the adjoining ground surface.

Passing spaces are required to be:

• A space 60 inches minimum by 60 inches minimum; or

• The intersection of two outdoor recreation access routes providing a T-shaped space complying with 304.3.2 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines where the base and the arms of the T-shaped space extend 48 inches minimum beyond the intersection.

Where the intersection of two outdoor recreation access routes serves as a passing space, the vertical alignment of the routes at the intersection that form the T-shaped space is required to be nominally planar (i.e., as flat as possible) so that all the wheels of a mobility device touch the ground when turning into and out of the passing space.

Passing spaces and resting intervals are permitted to overlap. Where passing spaces and resting intervals overlap, the technical requirements for resting intervals in 1016.8.3 require the slope of the surface to not be steeper than 1:48 in any direction. Where the surface is other than asphalt, concrete, or boards, slopes not steeper than 1:20 are permitted when necessary for drainage. Otherwise, passing space surfaces have the same slopes as the adjoining outdoor recreation access route.

1016.5 Obstacles

This section contains technical requirements for obstacles on outdoor recreation access routes, passing spaces, and resting intervals. The vertical alignment of joints in concrete, asphalt, or board surfaces on outdoor recreation access routes can be obstacles. Natural features such as tree roots and rocks on outdoor recreation access routes also can be obstacles. Where an outdoor recreation access route is provided within a vehicular way, traffic calming devices can be obstacles. This section requires obstacles to not exceed 1/2 inch in height measured vertically to the highest point. Where the surface is other than concrete, asphalt, or boards, obstacles are permitted to not exceed 1 inch in height measured vertically to the highest point.

The frequency of obstacles and obstacles that cross the full width of outdoor recreation access routes can make travel difficult for individuals who use wheeled mobility devices. Where possible, obstacles that cross the full width of outdoor recreation access routes should be separated by 48 inches minimum so individuals who use wheeled mobility devices can cross the obstacle before confronting another obstacle.

1016.6 Openings

This section requires openings in the surface of outdoor recreation access routes, passing spaces, and resting intervals such as spaces between the boards in a boardwalk and drainage grates to not allow passage of a sphere more than 1/2 inch in diameter. Where possible, drainage grates should be located outside the minimum clear width of the recreation access route. Elongated openings should be placed so that the long dimension is perpendicular, or as close to perpendicular as possible, to the dominant direction of travel.

1016.7 Slopes

This section contains technical requirements for the maximum running slope and segment length (1016.7.1) and cross slope (1016.7.2) of outdoor recreation access routes.

1016.7.1 Maximum Running Slope and Segment Length

This section requires the running slope of any segment of an outdoor recreation access route to not be steeper than 1:10 (10%). Where the running slope of a segment of an outdoor recreation access route is steeper than 1:20 (5%), the maximum length of the segment is specified in Table 1016.7.1, and a resting interval is required at the top and bottom of each segment. Gradual running slopes are more useable by individuals with disabilities. Where the terrain results in steeper running slopes, resting intervals are required more frequently. Where running slopes are less severe, resting intervals are permitted to be further apart.

1016.7.2 Cross Slope

This section requires the cross slope of outdoor recreation access routes to not be steeper than 1:48. Where the surface is other than asphalt, concrete, or boards, cross slopes not steeper than 1:20 are permitted when necessary for drainage.

1016.8 Resting Intervals

This section contains the technical requirements for the length (1016.8.1), width (1016.8.2), and slope (1016.8.3) of resting intervals; and for a turning space (1016.8.4) where resting intervals are provided adjacent to an outdoor recreation access route.

1016.8.1 Length

This section requires resting intervals to be 60 inches long minimum.

1016.8.2 Width

This section requires resting intervals that are provided within an outdoor recreation access route to be at least as wide as the widest segment of the outdoor recreation access route leading to the resting interval. Resting intervals that are provided adjacent to an outdoor recreation access route are required to be 36 inches wide minimum.

1016.8.3 Slope

This section requires the slope of resting intervals to not be steeper than 1:48 in any direction. Where the surface is other than asphalt, concrete, or boards, slopes not steeper than 1:20 are permitted when necessary for drainage.

1016.8.4 Turning Space

This section requires a turning space complying with 304.2.3 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines where resting intervals are provided adjacent to an outdoor recreation access route. The vertical alignment of the outdoor recreation access route, turning space, and resting interval is required to be nominally planar (i.e., as flat as possible) so that all the wheels of a mobility device touch the ground when turning into and out of the resting interval.

1016.9 Protruding Objects

This section requires constructed elements on outdoor recreation access routes, resting intervals, and passing spaces to comply with the technical requirements for protruding objects in 307 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines. Protruding objects can be hazardous for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Signs and other post mounted objects are examples of constructed elements that can be protruding objects. Natural elements such as tree branches are not required to comply with the technical requirements for protruding objects in 307 of the Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines. However, entities should maintain the vertical clearance along outdoor recreation access routes, resting intervals, and passing spaces free from tree branches for 80 inches high minimum above the ground.