The AODA has standards for the design of public spaces, but no standards for accessibility in other built environments. However, the Third Review of the AODA recommends improvements to all standards and laws governing buildings and public spaces. In addition, the review recommends that future AODA standards should align with existing standards in other parts of the country. For instance, Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group) have developed federal standards for accessibility in the built environment. Future AODA standards may include some or all of these guidelines and requirements to make buildings more accessible. In this article, we explore guidelines in the federal built environment standards for accessible intersections.
Accessible Intersections
Elements that make pedestrian intersections accessible include:
- Curb ramps
- Crosswalks
- Crossing signals
- Tactile walking surface indicators
All urban and suburban intersections should include these elements. Likewise, rural intersections in busy housing or business areas should also have these elements. They should be aligned perpendicular to the path of vehicles to promote pedestrians’ safety. Furthermore, these elements should be apart from parallel lanes for vehicles and cycling. Intersections should have the same number of lanes on both sides, and these lanes should also be aligned.
People navigating an intersection in different ways should all be able to see each other. For instance, people may be crossing the street while they travel:
- On a bike lane
- To a transit stop
- In a travel lane
The layout of all these elements should maximize the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. For example, signage can help cyclists and pedestrians navigate. Moreover, signage can also:
- Indicate safe refuges
- Distinguish lanes for cars, including for high-priority traffic flows
- Point out safe speeds or unsafe actions
The standards list requirements that apply to specific types of intersections, such as:
- Uncontrolled access ramp intersections
- Sign-controlled intersections
- Signal-controlled intersections
- Roundabout intersections
- Overpasses or underpasses
- Pedestrian mid-block crosswalks
- Rail lines
Similarly, the standards list requirements for certain features of intersections, such as:
- Raised intersections with crosswalks
- Corners and islands, to protect refuge areas from vehicles
- Angles where vehicle routes meet
Pedestrian Crossings
In addition, the standards list requirements for different types of pedestrian crossings, such as:
- Crossings on the same grade, or level, as the pavement
- Raised crossings
Curb Ramps and Blended Transitions
Curb ramps and blended transitions should lead directly to pedestrian crossings. Furthermore, the standards list requirements for crossings with curb ramps and crossings with blended transitions, including requirements for:
- Surfaces
- Drainage
Similarly, the standards list measurements for:
- Turning space at the top of curb ramps
- Width
- Flared sides
The standards also list ratios for:
- Running slope
- Cross slope
- Counter slope, or the running slope of a pedestrian crossing at the bottom of a:
- Curb ramp
- Blended transition
- Turning space
- Slope of a narrow accessible sidewalk with turning space at street level
Curb ramps help people travelling with their white canes or guide dogs to detect the transition from sidewalk to road. Therefore, blended transitions should only be used for the purpose of calming traffic in specific areas. Otherwise, curb ramps should be used.
Crosswalks
In addition, the standards have requirements for crosswalks, including:
- Surfaces
- Pavement markings
Medians and Islands
At medians and islands, all pedestrian crossing elements should be aligned beside each other. If the traffic on either side of an island moves in different directions, the island should have a route for pedestrians to follow and align themselves safely. Moreover, the standards have requirements for the length and width of islands. Likewise, the standards have requirements for medians and islands that are:
- Raised
- Level
- Signalized
- Bulb-outs or curb extensions
Pedestrian Crossing Signals
The standards list guidelines for conventional pedestrian crossing signals, as well as signals with accessibility features. Moreover, the standards list requirements for the locations of activation push buttons for these signals. For example, these buttons should be near, but not on, accessible paths of travel. In addition, the standards list guidelines for the timing of pedestrian crossing signals.
Speed Bumps
Speed bumps can be physical barriers for people who:
- Must travel on the road in their assistive devices, such as wheelchairs or scooters
- Have back problems or other disabilities
Therefore, there should be room for people to navigate around speed bumps. The standards list requirements for the width of clear areas around speed bumps.
Bollards or Curbs
Bollards or curbs for separating streets or parking areas from accessible paths should have good colour contrast with their surroundings. The standards list measurements for the space between bollards or curbs if people are allowed to access that space.
Overpasses and Underpasses
Pedestrian overpasses and underpasses should include accessible paths. Moreover, underpasses should have sound-dampening to improve acoustics. In addition, people should be able to move between levels with a gradual slope or ramp, rather than an elevator.