Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access

Chapter 5 - Trail Design for Access

5.7 Conclusion

Everyone should have the opportunity to experience and enjoy the natural environment. People with and without disabilities, older people, families, and children all benefit from being able to enjoy parks and forests. To the maximum extent feasible, trails should be designed to accommodate the access needs of all designated users. Considering accessibility when designing trails and installing accessible built facilities such as wheelchair-accessible toilets, Braille displays in visitor centers, and lowered drinking fountains will permit more people to enjoy the outdoors. In addition, providing detailed information about existing path conditions and available facilities can help visitors select trails. Such trail information reduces the likelihood that a trail user will become stranded or endangered and can improve safety and visitor enjoyment. Although increased use might be accompanied by increased conflicts between different types of trail users, land managers can minimize friction between groups by using good trail-management techniques.

Table 5-4.1: Federal Accessibility Guidelines for Maximum Allowable Running Slope without Landings and Handrails

¹ The ADA Standards for Accessible Design are identical in content to ADAAG Sections 1_10. However, the Design Standards are enforceable by the U.S. Department of Justice.

² The ADA Standards for Accessible Design and UFAS both require people to use the least slope possible on accessible routes. An accessible route with a running slope greater than 5% is considered a ramp whose slope should be the least possible but may not exceed 8.33% (see Table 5-5.1).

Table 5-4.2: Federal Advisory Committee Recommendations for Maximum Allowable Running Grade

Table 5-4.3: Federal Guidelines for Maximum Allowable Running Grade

Table 5-4.4: State, County, and City Guidelines for Maximum Allowable Running Grade

Table 5-4.5: Additional Recommendations for Maximum Allowable Running Grade

¹ Maximum allowable average grade not running grade.

Table 5-5.1: Federal Accessibility Guidelines for Maximum Slope for a Specified Ramp Run with Landings and Handrails

¹ ADA Standards for Accessible Design and UFAS both require people to use the least slope possible on accessible routes.

Table 5-5.2: Federal Advisory Committee Recommendations for Maximum Grade for a Specified Distance (Run)

Table 5-5.3: Federal Guidelines for Maximum Grade for a Specified Distance (Run)

¹ The requirement was for maximum pitch, no distance was specified.

Table 5-5.4: State, County, and City Guidelines for Maximum Grade for a Specified Distance (Run)

¹ For short distances.

² In extreme circumstances, 20% is permitted. In general 15% should be observed as the maximum grade and should only be used over short distances.

Table 5-5.5: Additional Recommendations for Maximum Grade for a Specified Distance Run

Table 5-6.1: Federal Accessibility Guidelines for Maximum Allowable Running Cross-Slope

¹ ADA Standards for Accessible Design and UFAS both require people to use the least slope possible on accessible routes.

Table 5-6.2: Federal Advisory Committee Recommendations for Maximum Allowable Running Cross-Slope

Table 5-6.3: Federal Guidelines for Maximum Allowable Running Cross-Slope

Table 5-6.4: State, County, and City Guidelines for Maximum Allowable Running Cross-Slope

Table 5-6.5: Additional Recommendations for Maximum Allowable Running Cross-Slope

¹ Maximum allowable average cross-slope not running cross-slope.

Table 5-7.1: Federal Accessibility Guidelines for Minimum Clearance Width

Table 5-7.2: Federal Advisory Committee Recommendations for Minimum Clearance Width

Table 5-7.3: Federal Guidelines for Minimum Clearance Width

Table 5-7.4: State, County, and City Guidelines for Minimum Clearance Width

Table 5-7.5: Additional Recommendations for Minimum Clearance Width

¹ For reasonably short distances, 0.815 m is permitted.

² For distances less than 0.610 m, 0.815 m is permitted.

Table 5-8.1: Federal Accessibility Guidelines for Vertical Changes in Level

¹ Changes in level between 6 and 13 mm must be beveled with a maximum slope of 50 percent. Changes in level greater than 13 mm must be treated with a ramp, curb ramp, or elevator.

Table 5-8.2: Federal Advisory Committee Recommendations for Vertical Changes in Level

Table 5-8.3: Federal Guidelines for Vertical Changes in Level

Table 5-8.4: State, County, and City Guidelines for Vertical Changes in Level

Table 5-8.5: Additional Recommendations for Vertical Changes in Level

¹ Changes in level greater than 6 mm must be beveled with a 1:2 slope.

Table 5-9.1: Federal Accessibility Guidelines for Vertical Clearance (Head Room)

Table 5-9.2: Federal Advisory Committee Recommendations for Vertical Clearance

Table 5-9.3: Federal Guidelines for Vertical Clearance

¹ Above-average snow level.

Table 5-9.4: State, County, and City Guidelines for Vertical Clearance

¹ Above-average snow level.

² Above trail surface.

Table 5-9.5: Additional Recommendations for Vertical Clearance

¹ Above-average snowfall.