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Monday, December 5, 2011

U.S. Access Board Reopens Comment Period for Proposed Rights-of-Way Rule

The Access Board has reopened the comment period on it its proposed guidelines for accessible public rights-of-way to February 2, 2012. The original comment deadline was November 23. This action is being taken in response to requests from interested parties, including government and trade associations, for additional time to submit comments on the rule, as indicated in a published notice.

The proposed guidelines address access to public streets and sidewalks, street crossings, on-street parking, and other components of public rights-of-way. Comments can be submitted or viewed through the www.regulations.gov website.

### Below is from the U.S. Access Board website.

Public Rights-of-Way
About this Rulemaking

Sidewalks, street crossings, and other elements of the public rights-of-ways present unique challenges to accessibility for which specific guidance is considered essential. The Board is developing new guidelines for public rights-of-way that will address various issues, including access for blind pedestrians at street crossings, wheelchair access to on-street parking, and various constraints posed by space limitations, roadway design practices, slope, and terrain. The new guidelines will cover pedestrian access to sidewalks and streets, including crosswalks, curb ramps, street furnishings, pedestrian signals, parking, and other components of public rights-of-way. On July 26, 2011, the Board released proposed guidelines for public comment. This proposal incorporates feedback from the public on previous drafts of the guidelines.

Proposed Guidelines

•Proposed Guidelines for Public Rights-of-Way (available for comment through www.regulations.gov until February 2, 2012) PDF Version
•Notice Reopening Comment Period
•Overview of the Guidelines PDF Version
•Press Release
•Public Briefing
•Regulatory Assessment
•Supplementary document: State DOT Curb Ramp Standard Drawings with Detectable Warnings Details
•Webinar (August 9)

Related Information

•Revised Draft Guidelines (2005) PDF Version
•Notice of Availability of Revised Draft Guidelines About this Notice
•Draft Guidelines (2002)
•Public Comments to the Draft Guidelines (2002)
•Background
•How the Board Develops Guidelines

Guidance Material
The Board has developed information to provide a source of guidance on various aspects of accessible public rights-of-way until its guidelines are completed. This information includes:

•Accessible Public Rights-of-Way: Planning and Designing for Alterations PDF Version
•Accessible Rights-of-Way: A Design Guide
•Accessible Sidewalks (DVD)
•Detectable Warnings Update
•Manufacturers of Detectable Warning Products

Research:

•Accessible Pedestrian Signals
•Common Problems Arising in the Installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals PDF Version
•Detectable Warnings: Synthesis of U.S. and International Practice
•Interfacing Audible Pedestrian Signals and Traffic Signal Controllers
•Pedestrian Access to Modern Roundabouts
•Synthesis of Literature Relevant to Roundabout Signalization to Provide Pedestrian Access
•Synthesis of Maintenance and Durability Information for Detectable Warnings on Sidewalks
•Visual Detection of Detectable Warning Materials by Pedestrians with Visual Impairments Technical Brief
•Information on detectable warnings and accessible pedestrian signals is also available from Accessible Design for the Blind and www.walkinginfo.org

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Policy and Guidance

•Questions and Answers About ADA and Section 504
•Memorandum Clarifying FHWA Oversight Role in Accessibility (9/12/06)
•Memorandum on Use of the Revised Draft Guidelines (1/23/06)
•Memorandum on Detectable Warning Requirements (5/6/02)
•Coverage of Non-Federally Funded Facilities (Civil Rights Restoration Act) (9/2/92)

For Further Information Contact:

phone: 202-272-0025 (voice) or 202-272-0082 (TTY)
e-mail: row@access-board.gov
fax: 202-272-0081

Other Resources

•Accessible Design for the Blind
•Designing Sidewalks and Trails for Access (Federal Highway Administration guide)
•Institute of Transportation Engineers (resources for accessible intersections are available)
•Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
•www.walkinginfo.org

Further information on this rulemaking is available on the Board’s website at: http://www.access-board.gov/prowac/index.htm

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