Draft/Conceptual Draft/Conceptual Engineering Solutions for Engineering Solutions for

Americans with Disabilities Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ComplianceAct (ADA) Compliance

by theby the

NYSDOT Pedestrian & Bicycle ProgramNYSDOT Pedestrian & Bicycle Program

forfor

Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2004Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2004

September 8, 2004September 8, 2004

Goal: Obtain ADA Compliance Goal: Obtain ADA Compliance for Roundabouts Without for Roundabouts Without

GridlockGridlock..

Engineering A Path To Engineering A Path To Accessibility And SafetyAccessibility And Safety

1. Chronology of Major Events.1. Chronology of Major Events.2. Prior Research Findings.2. Prior Research Findings.3. Current Research Activity.3. Current Research Activity.4. Access vs. Safety Dichotomy 4. Access vs. Safety Dichotomy 5. Motorist Compliance with/without Signals.5. Motorist Compliance with/without Signals.6. Goals for Optimal Roundabout Conditions.6. Goals for Optimal Roundabout Conditions.7. Draft Conceptual Engineering Solutions.7. Draft Conceptual Engineering Solutions.8. Next Steps/Implications Beyond ADA8. Next Steps/Implications Beyond ADA9. Concluding Observations9. Concluding Observations

ChronologyChronology ofof MajorMajor EventsEvents

Building A True CommunityBuilding A True Community, Access Board, , Access Board, PROWAAC, 2001PROWAAC, 2001

Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public ROW, Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public ROW, Access Board, 2002Access Board, 2002

AASHTO Comments submitted, 2002AASHTO Comments submitted, 2002

Roundabout Accessibility Summit, 2002Roundabout Accessibility Summit, 2002

NCHRP 3-78, Crossing Solutions at NCHRP 3-78, Crossing Solutions at Roundabouts… is expected to begin Fall 2004Roundabouts… is expected to begin Fall 2004

Prior Research FindingsPrior Research Findings

Pedestrians with vision disabilities took up to Pedestrians with vision disabilities took up to 6 seconds longer to detect gaps.6 seconds longer to detect gaps.

Few safe/crossable gaps when traffic is Few safe/crossable gaps when traffic is moderate to heavy.moderate to heavy.

Difficult using audible cues when traffic is Difficult using audible cues when traffic is moderate to heavy.moderate to heavy.

Difficulty finding intersection, curb ramps, Difficulty finding intersection, curb ramps, and splitter islands.and splitter islands.

Current Research ActivityCurrent Research ActivityNCHRP 3-78, Crossing Solutions at NCHRP 3-78, Crossing Solutions at Roundabouts and Channelized Turn Lanes for Roundabouts and Channelized Turn Lanes for Pedestrian with Vision Disabilities.Pedestrian with Vision Disabilities.

National Eye Institute of the National Institute of National Eye Institute of the National Institute of Health (on Blind Pedestrian Access to Complex Health (on Blind Pedestrian Access to Complex Intersections).Intersections).

NCHRP 3-72: Lane Widths, Channelized Right NCHRP 3-72: Lane Widths, Channelized Right Turns, and Right Turn Deceleration Lanes in Turns, and Right Turn Deceleration Lanes in Urban and Suburban Areas.Urban and Suburban Areas.

NCHRP 3-65: Applying Roundabouts in the US.NCHRP 3-65: Applying Roundabouts in the US.

Access Versus Safety Access Versus Safety Dichotomy – Basic Dichotomy – Basic

Comparative ObservationsComparative Observations

Conventional Intersection Conventional Intersection AccessibilityAccessibility

Can use audible cues to Can use audible cues to determine gaps.determine gaps.

Crosswalk and ramp more Crosswalk and ramp more aligned and predictable.aligned and predictable.

Signalized stopped phase.Signalized stopped phase.

Quiet vehicle/pavement Quiet vehicle/pavement technologies threaten technologies threaten adequacy of audible cues.adequacy of audible cues.

Roundabout AccessibilityRoundabout AccessibilityAudible cues only help at Audible cues only help at lower volume sites.lower volume sites.

Difficult to determine safe Difficult to determine safe crossable gap.crossable gap.

More circuitous route to More circuitous route to walk to reach crossings.walk to reach crossings.

Continuous vehicular flow, Continuous vehicular flow, and no signal stop mode.and no signal stop mode.

Challenging to find the Challenging to find the crossing, island or ramps.crossing, island or ramps.

Conventional Intersection Conventional Intersection SafetySafety

Up to 24 pedestrian and Up to 24 pedestrian and vehicle conflict points.vehicle conflict points.

Red light running.Red light running.

Right-turn-on-red Right-turn-on-red (RTOR). (RTOR).

Left turns during Left turns during concurrent phasing.concurrent phasing.

Up to 1/3 of crashes at Up to 1/3 of crashes at the green “walk” phase.the green “walk” phase.

Roundabout SafetyRoundabout Safety

1 lane roundabout has 1 lane roundabout has 8 pedestrian/vehicle 8 pedestrian/vehicle conflict points.conflict points.

Splitter island is a Splitter island is a pedestrian refuge.pedestrian refuge.

Shorter/one way Shorter/one way pedestrian crossing.pedestrian crossing.

Lower speed is Lower speed is enforced by design.enforced by design.

Motorist ComplianceMotorist ComplianceWith Or Without SignalsWith Or Without Signals

Depend on motorists to stop at red, and yield Depend on motorists to stop at red, and yield before RTOR and left turn movements.before RTOR and left turn movements.

4-way, 2 lane signalized intersection speeds 4-way, 2 lane signalized intersection speeds can still be double roundabout speeds.can still be double roundabout speeds.

Its easier to yield and/or stop traveling at 15 - Its easier to yield and/or stop traveling at 15 - 20 mph, than 40 mph.20 mph, than 40 mph.

At 15 - 20 mph, you can’t credibly claim “you At 15 - 20 mph, you can’t credibly claim “you didn’t see them” (the motorist is culpable). didn’t see them” (the motorist is culpable).

Goals For Optimal Goals For Optimal Roundabout ConditionsRoundabout Conditions

Obtain full ADA compliance.Obtain full ADA compliance.

Keep traffic calming attributes.Keep traffic calming attributes.

Design speed is self-enforcing.Design speed is self-enforcing.

Works for all users and modes.Works for all users and modes.

Consider all traffic control systems.Consider all traffic control systems.

Multimodal design is essential.Multimodal design is essential.

Consider Methods To Consider Methods To Determine Gaps And Way-Determine Gaps And Way-

Finding NeedsFinding NeedsSensors that alert pedestrians (audible Sensors that alert pedestrians (audible message for “real time/true presence” info.) message for “real time/true presence” info.) whether a safe crossable gap is available.whether a safe crossable gap is available.

Detectable manual and/or remote actuated Detectable manual and/or remote actuated flashing beacon signals or message boards.flashing beacon signals or message boards.

Cane detectable surfaces, curb fencing/edging, Cane detectable surfaces, curb fencing/edging, talking signs, GPS, other portable devices, etc.talking signs, GPS, other portable devices, etc.

Audible/tactile cues (locator tones, underfoot Audible/tactile cues (locator tones, underfoot detectable vibrations) to find curb/island, etc.detectable vibrations) to find curb/island, etc.

Sensor/Flasher System & Sensor/Flasher System & Outside/Center EdgingOutside/Center Edging

Overhead Signs & FlashersOverhead Signs & Flashers

Pedestrian Crossing Control Manual for B.C.Pedestrian Crossing Control Manual for B.C.

Consider Methods To Consider Methods To Improve Motorist Improve Motorist

ComplianceComplianceOptimal sight lines at crosswalk/splitter island.Optimal sight lines at crosswalk/splitter island.

High visibility markings & pedestrian signing.High visibility markings & pedestrian signing.

Speed tables, rumble strips, and increased Speed tables, rumble strips, and increased deflection to improve yielding.deflection to improve yielding.

In-road-lighting systems, light-up bollards, In-road-lighting systems, light-up bollards, flashing beacons, message boards, etc.flashing beacons, message boards, etc.

Automatic in-vehicle warning and breaking Automatic in-vehicle warning and breaking systems for crash avoidance.systems for crash avoidance.

Roundabout Speed TablesRoundabout Speed Tables

In-Road-Lighting SystemIn-Road-Lighting System

Pursue Crossable Gaps Pursue Crossable Gaps Without GridlockWithout Gridlock

Alternate crosswalk configurations (off-set, Alternate crosswalk configurations (off-set, mid-block, pork-chop, etc).mid-block, pork-chop, etc).

Calming “green wave” signal progressions for Calming “green wave” signal progressions for creating platoons conducive to safe crossable creating platoons conducive to safe crossable gaps at roundabout crossings.gaps at roundabout crossings.

Sensor-based “ramp metering” as a means of Sensor-based “ramp metering” as a means of creating gaps/providing notice of those gaps.creating gaps/providing notice of those gaps.

Criteria for when/if fixed signals and separate Criteria for when/if fixed signals and separate rights-of-way are warranted.rights-of-way are warranted.

Approach (Ramp) Metering Approach (Ramp) Metering & Monitoring& Monitoring

Stop & Go SignalizationStop & Go Signalization

Draft Conceptual Draft Conceptual Engineering SolutionsEngineering Solutions

Draft/Conceptual Baseline Draft/Conceptual Baseline Accommodation For Accommodation For RuralRural Single Lane RoundaboutSingle Lane Roundabout

Cut-through splitter islands,Cut-through splitter islands,

Detectable warnings at crosswalks,Detectable warnings at crosswalks,

Straight alignments at crosswalks,Straight alignments at crosswalks,

Detectable warnings at splitter islands,Detectable warnings at splitter islands,

Standardized detectable high visibility marking,Standardized detectable high visibility marking,

Basic lighting at all crossings/open sight lines,Basic lighting at all crossings/open sight lines,

Warning/advance warning & regulatory signs.Warning/advance warning & regulatory signs.

Draft/Conceptual Baseline Draft/Conceptual Baseline Accommodation For Accommodation For UrbanUrban

Single Lane RoundaboutSingle Lane RoundaboutBaseline accommodations from prior slide,Baseline accommodations from prior slide,

Sidewalk, curb ramp & way-finding edging,Sidewalk, curb ramp & way-finding edging,

Human scale/low glare crosswalk lighting,Human scale/low glare crosswalk lighting,

Rumble strips, beacons, message boards,Rumble strips, beacons, message boards,

Pedestrian warning, gap creation systems,Pedestrian warning, gap creation systems,

Stop-go signals/separate ROW if needed.Stop-go signals/separate ROW if needed.

Draft/Conceptual Baseline Draft/Conceptual Baseline Accommodation For Accommodation For

Multilane RoundaboutsMultilane Roundabouts

Baseline accommodation from 2 prior slides,Baseline accommodation from 2 prior slides,

Greater emphasis at crosswalks (pavement Greater emphasis at crosswalks (pavement warning text, in-roadway devices & overhead warning text, in-roadway devices & overhead signing to avoid multiple threat crashes),signing to avoid multiple threat crashes),

Design must Design must avoidavoid speed differentials that speed differentials that contribute to multiple threats crashes,contribute to multiple threats crashes,

If space/budget permits, provide alternative If space/budget permits, provide alternative route or separate ROW for non-motor modes. route or separate ROW for non-motor modes.

Next StepsNext Steps

Access Board issues a Notice of Proposed Access Board issues a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for public comment.Rulemaking (NPRM) for public comment.

Access Board adopts Accessible Public ROW Access Board adopts Accessible Public ROW Guidelines.Guidelines.

USDOT & USDOJ must adopt Accessible Public USDOT & USDOJ must adopt Accessible Public ROW Guidelines for them to become regulation ROW Guidelines for them to become regulation and be enforceable.and be enforceable.

Possible Implications Possible Implications Beyond ADABeyond ADA

Advancing empirical, Advancing empirical, simulation model, and simulation model, and human subject research. human subject research.

Benefit access & safety Benefit access & safety at roundabouts and at roundabouts and signaled intersections.signaled intersections.

Anticipate increased Anticipate increased emphasis and support emphasis and support for pedestrian travel.for pedestrian travel.

Concluding ObservationsConcluding Observations

Engineering measures Engineering measures may result in may result in safesafe access access comparable or better than comparable or better than signalized intersections.signalized intersections.

Thoughtful dialogue and Thoughtful dialogue and ongoing research can help ongoing research can help make all transportation make all transportation facilities more accessible. facilities more accessible.

Questions & Comments Questions & Comments Are Welcomed!Are Welcomed!

For Further Information, Please Contact:For Further Information, Please Contact:

James M. Ercolano, M.S.James M. Ercolano, M.S.

Pedestrian SpecialistPedestrian Specialist

Phone (518) 485-8291Phone (518) 485-8291

E-mail: E-mail: jercolano@dot.state.ny.usjercolano@dot.state.ny.us

NYSDOT Pedestrian & Bicycle ProgramNYSDOT Pedestrian & Bicycle Program

NYSDOT Passenger Transportation DivisionNYSDOT Passenger Transportation Division

50 Wolf Road, POD 5450 Wolf Road, POD 54

Albany, New York 12232Albany, New York 12232