What
is an Accessible Trail?
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| An accessible trail is a trail that is accessible
to and usable by people with disabilities. |
Previous accessibility standards such as the Uniform Federal Accessibility
Standards (UFAS) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility
Guidelines (ADAAG) address the built environment, "the bricks and
mortar." These guidelines do not transfer well to the natural environment.
The built environment is open to manipulation. For example, if there
is a hill where someone wants to build the parking lot for a store,
then a bulldozer is used to level the area. In contrast, the natural
environment includes factors, such as the weather, that are out of
human control. The natural environment is part of the experience people
wish to enjoy on a trail.
An accessible trail is a trail that is accessible to and usable
by people with disabilities. Accessible trails are identified as
meeting minimum guidelines established by the U. S. Access Board.
The Access Board is the Federal agency responsible for creating
guidelines and standards for accessible environments. After an Advanced
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that drew input across the spectrum
of outdoor facilities a Regulatory Negotiations Committee was created
by the Access Board to come to consensus on technical provisions
for accessibility in outdoor areas. Currently, The Access Board
is preparing a Notice of Proposed Rule based on the Regulatory Negotiation
Committee's report. The proposed rule, once published, will be available
for public comment, issued as a final rule and then adopted by the
Department of Justice. During the process of the guidelines being
issued and adopted, facilities need to use the "best available information."
For outdoor environments, the current best available information
is the Outdoor Developed Areas Final Report. The remainder
of this technical assistance paper will draw from the Regulatory
Negotiation Committee's Final Report: Recommendations for Accessibility
Guidelines-Outdoor Developed Areas (September 1999).
Background
The minimum requirements found in the Outdoor Developed Areas Final
Report are based on several principles. They include:
- Protect resource and environment
- Preserve experience
- Provide for equality of opportunity
- Maximize accessibility
- Be reasonable
- Address safety
- Be clear, simple, and understandable
- Provide guidance
- Be enforceable and measurable
- Be consistent with ADAAG (as much as possible)
- Be based on independent use by persons with disabilities
One of the challenges the committee faced was building consensus
on criteria for accessible trails. Trails provide unique outdoor
experiences that at times may be difficult to make accessible
while maintaining the natural elements. Accessibility requirements
vary for each individual. For example, a person who uses a manual
wheelchair with a strong upper body may be able to easily transverse
slopes that a mother pushing a stroller could have difficulty
maneuvering. In other words, useable does not necessarily indicate
accessible.
 |
| Accessible routes, outdoor access routes, and
trails are all paths that have varying requirements based on
their purpose. |
The purpose of the trail should be kept in mind. For example,
if the purpose of the trail is to provide a hiking challenge, mountain
biking or horseback riding, then accessibility is not an issue.
However, if the trail is simply for recreational pedestrian use,
it needs to meet the minimum proposed guidelines. Shared use paths
that allow bicycles, equestrians and other non-pedestrian modes
of transportation have their own design and construction guidelines.
The primary guide for bicycle and shared use facilities is from
the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
(AASHTO). The AASHTO guide has different requirements than those
for pedestrian use trails. A trail designed only to meet the proposed
accessibility guidelines for trails may not be adequate, and possibly
hazardous for bicyclists.
Similar to ADAAG, the proposed guidelines apply to newly constructed
or altered trails. An alteration involves changing the trail from
its original condition as opposed to maintenance, which does not
trigger the requirements in the proposed guidelines. Maintenance
to a trail returns the trail to its original condition. For example,
changing the trail surface would be an alteration whereas filling
in holes in the trail surface that have been caused by use, animals,
weather or water would be considered maintenance.
Newly constructed trails are trails constructed in an area where
previously no trail existed. When constructing a new trail, accessibility
should be included in the design stages.
Begin with the attitude of making the entire trail accessible
instead of what is the minimum required for compliance. Accessibility
will be much easier to accomplish initially instead of applying
the provisions as an afterthought.
Accessible Routes, Outdoor Access Routes, & Trails
Accessible routes, outdoor access routes, and trails are all paths
that have varying requirements based on their purpose, what they
connect to and the environment they fall within. The following table
identifies the technical provisions as they apply to each of the
different paths.
| |
Access
Route (ADAAG) |
Outdoor
Access Route |
Trail |
| Surface
|
Stable,
firm, Slip resistant |
Firm
and Stable |
Firm
and Stable
Exception*
|
| Max
Running Slope |
1:
12 |
1:
20 (for any distance)
1:
12 (for max 50 ft)
1:
10 (for max 30 ft)
|
1:
20 (for any distance)
1:
12 (for max 200 ft)
1:
10 (for max 30 ft)
1:
8 ( for max 10 ft)
Exception-
1: 7 (for 5 ft max for open drainage structures)
Exception*
|
|
Max Cross Slope |
1: 50 |
1: 33
Exception-
1: 20 (for drainage purposes) |
1: 20
Exception-
1: 10 (at the bottom of an open drain where clear tread width
is a min of 42 inches) |
| Min
Clear Tread Width |
36
inches
32
inches (for no more than 24 inches)
|
36
inches
Exception-
32 inches when * applies |
36
inches for any distance
Exception-
32 inches when * applies. |
| Edge
Protection |
Where
provided, min of 2 inches. |
Where
provided, min of 3 inches. |
Where
provided, 3 inches min. |
| Tread
Obstacles |
(Changes
in Level)
1/4
inch (no beveled edge)
1/4
- 1/2 inch must have a beveled edge with a max slope of 1:
2.
Over
1/2 inch= ramp.
|
1
inch high max
Exception-
2 inches high max (where beveled with a slope no greater than
1: 2 and where * applies.) |
2
inches high max
Exception-
3 inches max (where running and cross slopes are 1: 20 or less)
Exception* |
| Passing
Space |
Every
200 feet where clear tread width is less than 60 inches, a
minimum 60 X 60 inch space, or a t-shaped intersection of
two walks or corridors with arms and stem extending min of
48 inches. |
Every
200 feet where clear tread width is less than 60 inches, a minimum
60 X 60 inch space, or a t-shaped intersection of two walking
surfaces with arms and stem extending min of 48 inches.
Exception- every 300 feet where * applies. |
Every
1000 feet where clear tread width is less than 60 inches, a
60 X 60 inch min passing space or a t-shaped intersection of
two walking surfaces with arms and stem extending min of 48
inches.
Exception* |
| Resting
Intervals |
(Landings)
60
inch min length, min width as wide as the ramp run leading
to it, if change in direction occurs, must have 60 X 60 inch
space. |
60
inches min length, width at least as wide as the widest portion
of the trail segment leading to the resting interval and a max
slope of 1: 33
Exception- a max slope of 1: 20 is allowed for drainage purposes. |
60
inches min length, width at least as wide as the widest portion
of the trail segment leading to the resting interval and a maximum
slope of 1: 20.
Exception* |
| * (16.1.1 Conditions for Departure)
The provision may not apply if it cannot be provided because
compliance would cause substantial harm to cultural, historic,
religious or significant natural features or characteristics;
substantially alter the nature of the setting or purpose of
the facility; require construction methods or materials that
are prohibited by Federal, state or local regulations or statutes;
or would not be feasible due to terrain or the prevailing construction
practices. |
Technical Provisions
The Outdoor Developed Areas Final Report
addresses ten provisions of trail accessibility:
Surface Clear Tread Width Openings Protruding Object Tread Obstacles Passing Space Slope Resting Intervals Edge Protection Signage
Surface
An accessible trail includes a route from accessible parking
to the trailhead. Once on the trailhead, the first issue addressed
is surface. The trail surface must be firm and stable. Firmness
refers to the penetration of the surface that occurs when force
is applied, for example when stepped on. Stability on the other
hand, refers to the displacement of the surface when a turning
motion is applied to the surface such as the twisting of a foot.
In other words, firmness is a vertical measure of penetration
and stability involves how much surface material shifts when rotated
pressure is applied. Examples of firm and stable surfaces include
concrete and asphalt. Soil stabilizers are sometimes used to make
otherwise inaccessible surfaces more firm and/ or stable. (See
"Trail Surfaces: What Do I Need to Know?").
 |
| A clear tread width of a minimum 36 inches allows
a wide enough area for a person using a wheelchair to comfortably
stay on the trail. |
Clear Tread Width
The next provision involves clear tread width, or the unobstructed
width of the trail. The clear tread width of an accessible trail
must be a minimum of 36 inches. This allows a wide enough area
for a person using a wheelchair or scooter to comfortably stay
on the firm and stable trail surface.
Openings
The third guideline addresses openings in trail surfaces, such
as spaces between the boards of a boardwalk. These spaces may
not allow the passage of a sphere one-half inch in diameter. In
addition, the long dimension must run perpendicular or diagonal
to the main direction of travel preventing casters from wheelchairs,
or tips of canes from being caught in the spaces.
Protruding Objects
The fourth requirement addresses the needs of people who are
visually impaired. Protruding objects are required to allow a
minimum of 80 inches clear headroom space above the trail. In
other words, any protruding objects, including vegetation, must
be above a minimum of eighty inches from the ground. This space
prevents people who are blind from bumping their heads on tree
branches or other objects hanging above the trail. Simple maintenance
of trails is often the solution to preventing accessibility issues
resulting from protruding objects.
 |
| Examples of tread obstacles include tree roots,
rocks, brush, downed trees or branches projecting from the
trail. |
Tread Obstacles
The fifth aspect of the guidelines addresses tread obstacles.
Examples of tread obstacles include tree roots, rocks, brush,
downed trees or branches projecting from the trail. Tread obstacles
cannot exceed a maximum height of two inches. An exception occurs
if running and cross slopes are 1: 20 or less, then the obstacle
may be three inches in height.
Passing Space
The sixth technical provision, passing space, allows people who
use wheelchairs to pass other hikers easily. Passing spaces need
to be a minimum of 60 X 60 inches and occur at 1,000 feet intervals
when the clear tread width of the trail is less than 60 inches.
An alternative is a T-shaped space providing the arms and stem
extend at least 48 inches beyond the intersection. The T-shape
still needs to occur every 1,000 feet, whenever possible, the
60 X 60 space should be utilized to offer a more convenient way
for people to pass one another.
Slope
The seventh provision addresses two slopes that are crucial elements
to people with mobility impairments— running slope and cross slope.
With the exception for drainage, the cross slope of an accessible
trail should be less than 1: 20. In addition, running slopes must
comply with one or more of four provisions with no more than 30
percent of the total trail length exceeding 1: 12.
 |
| (Top) An example of a resting
area designed a few feet from the main traffic of the trail,
providing an area for meditation and conversation. |
 |
| (Bottom) Resting intervals
must be 60 inches minimum in length, and have a width as wide
as the widest portion of the trail segment leading to the
resting interval. |
The four provisions are as follows:
- Running slope cannot exceed 1: 20 for any distance.
- If resting intervals are provided every 200 feet, the running
slope may be a maximum of 1: 12.
- If resting intervals are provided every 30 feet, the running
slope may be a maximum of 1: 10.
- If resting intervals are provided every 10 feet, the running
slope may be a maximum of 1: 8.
Resting Intervals
Provision eight addresses resting intervals. Resting intervals
must be 60 inches minimum in length, and have a width as wide
as the widest portion of the trail segment leading to the resting
interval. The slope may not exceed 1: 20 in any direction.
Edge Protection
The ninth guideline regarding edge protection states edge protection
is not necessarily required, however where it is provided, it
must have a minimum height of 3 inches.
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Examples of symbols that could be
used to represent a trail that fully complies with Section 16. |
Signage
Signage is the final aspect addressed in the Final Report. Accessible
trails should include signage with information on the total distance
of the accessible segment and the location of the first point
of departure from the technical provisions. Although no specific
symbol has been chosen to represent an accessible trail one of
the four examples displayed here may be utilized.
Conditions for Departure
Due to the dynamic nature of the outdoor environment, the Outdoor
Developed Areas Final Report identifies four conditions for departure
or circumstances that allow deviation from the technical provisions.
These conditions apply to each of the designated areas in the report.
The application of one or more of the conditions is not an overall
exemption of the entire trail. When the condition for departure
no longer exists, the technical provisions re-apply. The exemption
only applies to the respective technical provision, all other aspects
should comply. For example, if an endangered plant species only
allows 30 inches of clear tread width, the surface should still
be firm and stable in addition to compliance with the remaining
provisions other than clear tread width. After passing the plant
the clear tread width should return to at least 36 inches. The conditions
for departure are:
 |
| Photo courtesy of PEL Consulting. |
Condition 1
Where compliance would cause substantial harm to cultural,
historic, religious, or significant natural features or characteristics.
Examples of cultural features include such areas as archaeological
sites, burial grounds or Indian tribal protected sites. Historic
features include properties such as those listed or eligible for
the National Register of Historic Places. Examples of religious
features include Indian sacred sites and other properties designated
or held sacred by an organized religious belief or church. Natural
features include properties such as those protected by Federal
or State laws and areas with threatened or endangered species.
 |
| Photo courtesy of Karl Knapp. |
Condition 2
Where compliance would substantially alter the nature of the
setting or the purpose of the facility, or portion of the facility.
This condition addresses concerns relating to people who choose
to recreate in an outdoor setting for a higher degree of challenge
and risk. If the designed purpose of the trail were a cross-country
training trail, accessibility would interfere with the intended
experience.
 |
| Photo courtesy of Peter Jensen. |
Condition 3
Where compliance would require construction methods or materials
that are prohibited by Federal, State or local regulations or
statutes.
For example, mechanized equipment may be restricted in State designated
wilderness areas, or the introduction of imported materials may
be prohibited in order to maintain the natural ecosystem. Although
State and local statutes are taken into consideration, new regulations
may not be initiated to prevent compliance.
 |
| Photo courtesy of Peter Jensen. |
Condition 4
Where compliance would not be feasible due to terrain or the
prevailing construction practices.
If typically a team of volunteers with hand tools does alterations,
there is not an expectation of bringing a bulldozer in to establish
a new trail. In addition, this condition applies to soils susceptible
to erosion, interfering with the natural drainage, and other issues
related to the natural terrain.
 |
Cross slopes- A 18%, B 16%
Running slopes- A 23%, B 31%
Combined slopes- A 41%, B 49% |
Exceptions
In addition to the conditions for departure, the proposed guidelines
provide general exceptions addressing the technical provisions for
trail accessibility. The exceptions are based on the following conditions:
- The combination of running slope and cross slope exceeds 40
percent for over 20 feet.
- A trail obstacle 30 inches or more in height across the full
tread width of the trail.
- The surface is neither firm nor stable for a distance of 45
feet or more.
- A clear width less than 12 inches for a distance
of 20 feet or more.
When one or more of the conditions for departure
are met and a departure from the technical provisions occurs for
over 15 percent of the length of the trail, the provisions no longer
apply after the first point of departure. In other words, if over
15 percent of the total trail length cannot be made accessible due
to the conditions of departure, the trail only needs to be made
accessible up to the first point of departure.
Additional Exceptions
Additional exceptions address the provisions individually:
 |
| Tread obstacles may be three inches maximum
where running slopes and cross slopes are a maximum of 1:20,
unless one or more of the conditions for departure apply. |
A firm and stable surface is not required where at least one
condition for departure applies.
- Where at least one of the four conditions occurs, clear tread
width may be reduced to a minimum of thirty-two inches. Unless one
of the four conditions prevents thirty-two inches of clear tread
width then the provision does not apply.
- Elongated openings are permitted to be parallel to the dominant
direction of travel where the opening is smaller than one quarter
of an inch. Openings can go up to three quarters of an inch where
one of more of the conditions for departure apply unless one or
more of these conditions prevent an opening of three quarters of
an inch to be allowed.
- Where at least one of the four conditions apply, vertical clearance
may be reduced to less than eighty inches and a barrier to warn
people who are blind or visually impaired.
- Tread obstacles may be three inches maximum where running slopes
and cross slopes are a maximum of 1: 20, unless one or more of the
conditions for departure apply.
- Passing space may not be provided where at least one of the
four conditions for departure exist preventing the passing space
from being provided.
- For open drainage structures, a running slope of fourteen percent
is permitted for a maximum of five feet with a maximum cross slope
of 1: 20. Cross slope is permitted to be 1: 10 at the bottom of
the open drain, where clear tread width is a minimum of forty-two
inches unless at least one of the conditions for departure applies.
- Resting intervals are not required where one or more of the
conditions apply.
 |
Why Accessibility?
The
ultimate goal is to provide trail access for all to nature's
wonders while protecting the environment through which thse
new trails pass.
-Peter
Jensen, Trail Designer
Open Space Management and Member of the Regulatory Negotiating
Committee |
There are more than 53 million Americans with disabilities in the
United States. This translates to one in five individuals having
some type of functional limitation that substantially limits one
or more major life activities. Recreation opportunities give people
with disabilities and people without disabilities the opportunity
to enjoy life, benefit from the experience and contribute to their
own sense of health and wellness. Ensuring recreation opportunities
are accessible, such as trails, can create more opportunities for
people with disabilities to participate with their families and friends.
There is also a business aspect to providing programs and facilities
that are accessible to people with disabilities. Accessible facilities
and programs can increase the number of prospective visitors, their
family members and friends, thus increasing participation and added
revenue.
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Access
Today, Fall 2002 - Special Volume, Issue 8
