ITE Hosts Curb Ramp and Intersection Wayfinding Workshop

A two-day workshop at the ITE Headquarters in late October 2004 brought together US and international highway engineers, orientation and mobility professionals, accessibility specialists, regulators, and consumers to consider steps toward standardizing intersection design to optimize directional cuing for pedestrians who do not use visual cues in crossing streets. Attendees heard background presentations on wayfinding techniques of pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired, and on geometric design, and signaling issues that are key to resolving such issues as curb ramp orientation, curb radius, detectable warning placement, gutter counterslope, and pedestrian pushbutton type and placement and audible signal features. 

The objectives of the Workshop were to begin to discuss answers to the following questions:

• What are the real world wayfinding and orientation problems for pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired at intersections? 
• What are the usability issues at crossings for pedestrians who use wheelchairs and scooters? 
• How and to what extent can engineers provide comprehensive and cost effective solutions at intersections that will be benefit all intersection users? The standardization of curb ramp design and associated traffic operations was identified as the most important way that intersections can provide improved wayfinding cues for safe and independent non-visual travel.

Presentations and White Papers

1. Briefing Paper on Intersection Traffic Control Wayfinding Cues at Intersections Workshop, 
   William C. Kloos, P.E., Signals and St. Lighting Manager, City of Portland, Oregon, October 11, 2004
2. United Kingdom Intersection and Pedestrian Crossing Design
   Peter Barker, Royal National Institute of the Blind, London, UK
3. Orientation and Alignment for Street Crossing: Pedestrians who are Blind or Visually Impaired
   Janet M. Barlow, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)
4. Orientation and Wayfinding PowerPoint Presentation Including Notes 
   Janet M. Barlow, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)
5. Wayfinding Systems for Pedestrians Who Are Blind | PowerPoint
   Dr. Billie (Beezy) Louise Bentzen
6. Research on Wayfinding Systems for Pedestrians Who Are Blind | PowerPoint
   Dr. Billie (Beezy) Louise Bentzen
7. Bibliography related to Dr. Billie Louise (Beezy) Bentzen’s presentation on Research on Wayfinding Systems for Pedestrians Who are Blind
   Dr. Billie Louise (Beezy) Bentzen
8. Curb Ramp Design by Elements & Planter Strip Curb Ramp | PowerPoint
   Michael A. Whipple, ADA Resource Associates, Inc.
9. Arizona Department of Transportation, Recommended Special Provision Sidewalk Ramps, Section 908, Concrete Curbs, Gutters, Sidewalks and Driveways.
   
   Detail Plans
   Driveway with sidewalk adjacent to and driveway with setback to curb: Plan 1 | Plan 2
   Parallel Sidewalk Ramp Type A
   Perpendicular Curb Ramp Type B
   Sidewalk Ramp at Sidewalk Terminus- Elevation at Depressed Sidewalk Ramp
   Sidewalk Ramp at Sidewalk Terminus-Sidewalk Behind Barrier
   Sidewalk Ramp Type E
   Sidewalk Ramp at Median Island Crossing
   Sidewalk Ramp: Detectable Warning Strip
10. List of Participants
11. Wayfinding at Intersections: Efforts Toward Standardization—A Joint Workshop of the Institute of Transportation Engineers and the U.S. Access Board 
    By Edward R. Stollof, AICP
    
    Developing Curb Ramp Designs Based on Curb Radius
    By Edward R. Stollof, AICP