Meeting the Intent of ADA in Sidewalk Cross-Slope Design
By Kockelman, Kara, PhD; Zhao, Yong; Blanchard-Zimmerman, Chessie; Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 101-110Publication Date: January/February 2001
Study to determine the range of sidewalk cross-slope angles that can be traversed by people who use mobility aids. Data were collected using two field surveys: (1) a survey in which participants stated their perceptions of ease of sidewalk use before and after crossing various sidewalk sections, and (2) a survey involving heart-rate changes in response to traversing distinct sidewalk sections. The survey respondents ranged in age from 27 to 59, and included 10 women and 9 men. The variables observed for each sidewalk section were cross-slope, primary slope, width, length, set-back distance, participant’s heart-rate change, and participant’s sidewalk assessment. Results are displayed in table format, and suggest that the maximum sidewalk cross-slope angle is four percent where feasible, and ten percent where unfavorable construction conditions exist. The authors concluded that people who use different types of mobility aids, and who have different levels of functional ability are capable of traversing a range of cross-slopes.
Published by:
VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Service (Web Site: http://www.rehab.research.va.gov )
Link to text: http://www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/kockelman/public_html/JRRD_TestRes.pdf
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J41873
