[passcoalition] Re: FWD: pedestrian safety at street work zones

From: Ken Stewart <cclvi@xxxxxxxxx>
To: passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Mon, 4 Jul 2011 11:12:04 -0700 (PDT)
The message below is from a manufaccturer of work zone barriers-


From: Plastic Safety Systems, Inc. <wejamieson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: If you only remember 2 words...
To: cclvi@xxxxxxxxx
Date: Tuesday, June 21, 2011, 2:04 PM
.www.plasticsafety.com                                     

Volume 1, Issue 2       June 21,  2011

Remember these words:
"Accessible and Detectable"
In our last edition, we promised a multi-part review of relevant standards for 
accessible work zones.  And here we are.  
 
But first, a note:  we do not intend this to be an exhaustive review, but 
rather, a starting point for your further research.  
 
All Means All...
 
For our purposes, we'll begin with a general statement found in MUTCD 2009 
Edition, Chapter 6, Section 6A.01.  
 
"The needs and control of all road users, including persons with disabilities, 
through a temporary traffic control [TTC] zone shall be an essential part of 
highway construction, utility work, maintenance operations and the management 
of traffic incidents."

 
 
The message, distilled is:the responsible agency must provide safe passage for 
any type of road user, through any type of work zone.    
 
Let's consider what the "needs of all road users" means. And, for our purposes, 
we'll focus on pedestrian road users, whether walking unaided, or with long 
cane, or in wheelchair; whether fully sighted or with limited vision, or blind; 
with hearing or without.  
 
Remember, All means All.
 
Accessible and Detectible:
 
In 6D.01, MUTCD identifies requirements for safe passage.  
 
In Line 01, pedestrians need a clearly delineated and usable travel path.  
The Standard, Line 04, states:  "if the TTC zone affects the movement of 
pedestrians, adequate pedestrian access and walkways shall be provided."
 
Further:  "If the TTC zone affects an accessible and detectable pedestrian 
facility, the accessibility and detectability shall be maintained along the 
alternate pedestrian route."
 
Note the use of the words "accessible" and "detectable".  We consider these the 
kernel of ADA compliance in work zones. 
 
The United States Access Board, the federal specialists in accessible design, 
is responsible for developing accessibility guidelines. In 2002, and again in 
2005, the Access Board published draft guidelines in "Public Rights-of-Way 
Accessibility Guidelines", (PROWAG).  
  
 
 
PROWAG uses MUTCD as a referenced guideline and standard.  However, we strongly 
recommend that you study PROWAG to review those requirements not noted in 
MUTCD.  The link is here:  www.access-board.gov  
 
PROWAG defines a pedestrian access route (PAR) as a continuous, unobstructed 
walkway that provides accessibility.Meaning, of course, that the pedestrian 
access route is adequate for persons with disabilities to safely enter and pass 
through.   
 
But, it also means that persons with disabilities, especially those who are 
blind, or have low vision, need non-visual guidance.
 
And thus the use of the word "detectable":  responsible agencies must provide 
PARs in which pedestrians with disabilities can detect (can discover the 
existence of) devices and other components that provide continuous and safe 
guidance.  
 
PROWAG identifies pedestrian access routes as routes that shall consist of one 
or more of the following components: walkways, ramps, curb ramps, landings, 
blended transitions, crosswalks, and pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, 
elevators, and platform lifts.  
 
And, all of these components shall be accessible and detectable. 
 
If you remember two words from this newsletter, remember "accessible" and 
"detectable". Rest assured, in future editions, we'll add more.
 
Speaking of which...
 
Next month, we'll review MUTCD Chapter 6, Section 6F.63, to begin our 
discussion of the components of an accessible work zone.Those include devices, 
pathway surfaces, temporary ramps, signing, and sidewalk closures. 
 
As always, we welcome your comments.  
 
Talk to you in July!
[passcoalition] Re: FWD: pedestrian safety at street work zones

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