Draft/Conceptual Engineering Solutions for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance by the NYSDOT Pedestrian & Bicycle Program for Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2004 September 8, 2004

Goal: Obtain ADA Compliance for Roundabouts Without Gridlock.

Engineering A Path To Accessibility And Safety 1. Chronology of Major Events. 2. Prior Research Findings. 3. Current Research Activity. 4. Access vs. Safety Dichotomy 5. Motorist Compliance with/without Signals. 6. Goals for Optimal Roundabout Conditions. 7. Draft Conceptual Engineering Solutions. 8. Next Steps/Implications Beyond ADA 9. Concluding Observations

Chronology of Major Events Building A True Community, Access Board, PROWAAC, 2001 Building A True Community, Access Board, PROWAAC, 2001 Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public ROW, Access Board, 2002 Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public ROW, Access Board, 2002 AASHTO Comments submitted, 2002 AASHTO Comments submitted, 2002 Roundabout Accessibility Summit, 2002 Roundabout Accessibility Summit, 2002 NCHRP 3-78, Crossing Solutions at Roundabouts… is expected to begin Fall 2004

Prior Research Findings Pedestrians with vision disabilities took up to 6 seconds longer to detect gaps. Few safe/crossable gaps when traffic is moderate to heavy. Difficult using audible cues when traffic is moderate to heavy. Difficulty finding intersection, curb ramps, and splitter islands.

Current Research Activity NCHRP 3-78, Crossing Solutions at Roundabouts and Channelized Turn Lanes for Pedestrian with Vision Disabilities. National Eye Institute of the National Institute of Health (on Blind Pedestrian Access to Complex Intersections). NCHRP 3-72: Lane Widths, Channelized Right Turns, and Right Turn Deceleration Lanes in Urban and Suburban Areas. NCHRP 3-65: Applying Roundabouts in the US.

Access Versus Safety Dichotomy – Basic Comparative Observations

Conventional Intersection Accessibility Conventional Intersection Accessibility Can use audible cues to determine gaps. Crosswalk and ramp more aligned and predictable. Signalized stopped phase. Quiet vehicle/pavement technologies threaten adequacy of audible cues.

Roundabout Accessibility Audible cues only help at lower volume sites. Difficult to determine safe crossable gap. More circuitous route to walk to reach crossings. Continuous vehicular flow, and no signal stop mode. Challenging to find the crossing, island or ramps.

Conventional Intersection Safety Up to 24 pedestrian and vehicle conflict points. Red light running. Right-turn-on-red (RTOR). Left turns during concurrent phasing. Up to 1/3 of crashes at the green “walk” phase.

Roundabout Safety 1 lane roundabout has 8 pedestrian/vehicle conflict points. Splitter island is a pedestrian refuge. Shorter/one way pedestrian crossing. Lower speed is enforced by design.

Motorist Compliance With Or Without Signals Depend on motorists to stop at red, and yield before RTOR and left turn movements. 4-way, 2 lane signalized intersection speeds can still be double roundabout speeds. Its easier to yield and/or stop traveling at mph, than 40 mph. At mph, you can’t credibly claim “you didn’t see them” (the motorist is culpable).

Goals For Optimal Roundabout Conditions Obtain full ADA compliance. Obtain full ADA compliance. Keep traffic calming attributes. Keep traffic calming attributes. Design speed is self-enforcing. Design speed is self-enforcing. Works for all users and modes. Works for all users and modes. Consider all traffic control systems. Consider all traffic control systems. Multimodal design is essential. Multimodal design is essential.

Consider Methods To Determine Gaps And Way- Finding Needs Sensors that alert pedestrians (audible message for “real time/true presence” info.) whether a safe crossable gap is available. Detectable manual and/or remote actuated flashing beacon signals or message boards. Cane detectable surfaces, curb fencing/edging, talking signs, GPS, other portable devices, etc. Audible/tactile cues (locator tones, underfoot detectable vibrations) to find curb/island, etc. Audible/tactile cues (locator tones, underfoot detectable vibrations) to find curb/island, etc.

Sensor/Flasher System & Outside/Center Edging

Overhead Signs & Flashers Pedestrian Crossing Control Manual for B.C.

Consider Methods To Improve Motorist Compliance Optimal sight lines at crosswalk/splitter island. High visibility markings & pedestrian signing. Speed tables, rumble strips, and increased deflection to improve yielding. In-road-lighting systems, light-up bollards, flashing beacons, message boards, etc. Automatic in-vehicle warning and breaking systems for crash avoidance.

Roundabout Speed Tables

In-Road-Lighting System

Pursue Crossable Gaps Without Gridlock Alternate crosswalk configurations (off-set, mid-block, pork-chop, etc). Calming “green wave” signal progressions for creating platoons conducive to safe crossable gaps at roundabout crossings. Sensor-based “ramp metering” as a means of creating gaps/providing notice of those gaps. Criteria for when/if fixed signals and separate rights-of-way are warranted.

Approach (Ramp) Metering & Monitoring

Stop & Go Signalization

Draft Conceptual Engineering Solutions

Draft/Conceptual Baseline Accommodation For Rural Single Lane Roundabout Cut-through splitter islands, Detectable warnings at crosswalks, Straight alignments at crosswalks, Detectable warnings at splitter islands, Standardized detectable high visibility marking, Basic lighting at all crossings/open sight lines, Warning/advance warning & regulatory signs.

Draft/Conceptual Baseline Accommodation For Urban Single Lane Roundabout Baseline accommodations from prior slide, Sidewalk, curb ramp & way-finding edging, Human scale/low glare crosswalk lighting, Rumble strips, beacons, message boards, Pedestrian warning, gap creation systems, Stop-go signals/separate ROW if needed.

Draft/Conceptual Baseline Accommodation For Multilane Roundabouts Baseline accommodation from 2 prior slides, Greater emphasis at crosswalks (pavement warning text, in-roadway devices & overhead signing to avoid multiple threat crashes), Design must avoid speed differentials that contribute to multiple threats crashes, If space/budget permits, provide alternative route or separate ROW for non-motor modes.

Next Steps Access Board issues a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for public comment. Access Board adopts Accessible Public ROW Guidelines. USDOT & USDOJ must adopt Accessible Public ROW Guidelines for them to become regulation and be enforceable.

Possible Implications Beyond ADA Advancing empirical, simulation model, and human subject research. Benefit access & safety at roundabouts and signaled intersections. Anticipate increased emphasis and support for pedestrian travel.

Concluding Observations Engineering measures may result in safe access comparable or better than signalized intersections. Thoughtful dialogue and ongoing research can help make all transportation facilities more accessible.

Questions & Comments Are Welcomed! For Further Information, Please Contact: James M. Ercolano, M.S. Pedestrian Specialist Phone (518) NYSDOT Pedestrian & Bicycle Program NYSDOT Passenger Transportation Division 50 Wolf Road, POD 54 Albany, New York 12232