DETERMINING THE SLOPE OF PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES


 

GENERAL

Pedestrian facilities include, but are not limited to, sidewalks, shared use paths, recreational trails, curb ramps, and turning spaces.  It is important that the State’s pedestrian facilities are accessible by all people of varying levels of mobility.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires pedestrian facilities to be accessible.  The contract documents specify the requirements for the construction of pedestrian facilities.  In order to fulfill these requirements, and create consistently accessible pedestrian facilities statewide, this document will establish a standard for taking measurements to verify compliance. 

 

APPROVAL

The purpose of this document is to describe the recommended equipment and required procedure to be used by the contractor for verifying compliance of the pedestrian facilities on hardened concrete.  It is recommended to do testing a soon as possible to eliminate any environmental influences that may affect the final outcome.

 

APPARATUS

 

1.     A 48 inch digital inclinometer (digital level) with an accuracy of 1 degree (0.18%) or less, or

 

2.     A 48 inch bubble level and measuring tape.

 

Record Forms

 

1.   Pedestrian Facility Slopes form (See Page 3 of this IM).

 

CALIBRATION OF LEVELS

 

1.     The digital level shall be calibrated a minimum of once daily and in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations prior to inspection, making sure the calibration area is clean and level.

 

The bubble level shall be visually checked on a level surface in one direction and turned end for end to assure the bubble indicates level in both directions.

 

2.     Record calibration results on Pedestrian Facilities Slope form.

 

MEASUREments

 

1.     Curb Ramps and Turning Spaces:

 

A.     1 measurement at each location where slopes are indicated in the contract documents.

B.     Any areas of concern determined by visual observation.

2.     Sidewalks, shared use paths, and recreational trails:

 

A.     1 at each end of every driveway; and

B.     1 at a maximum interval of 100 feet, if equal to or less than 1/4 mile in length; or

C.    1 at a maximum interval of 1/4 miles, if more than 1/4 mile in length.

D.    Any areas of concern determined by visual observation.

E.     A minimum of 3 measurement locations per project.

NOTE:  Measure both cross slope and longitudinal slope at each location identified above.

3.     Documentation

If S sheets and sidewalk Tabulation 113-10 are included in the plan, the contractor shall document corresponding slopes on those plan sheets.  If those are not available or there is running sidewalk, shared use paths and recreational trails that are not covered by the S sheets or tabulations, the Pedestrian Facilities Slopes form, included in this I.M., shall be used by the contractor for slope verification. 

 

The Pedestrian Facilities Slopes form and plan sheets shall be signed and dated, indicating the contractors’ company name. 

 

The Pedestrian Facility Slopes form and plan sheets shall then be submitted to the Contracting Authority prior to payment for the work.

 

ACCEPTANCE

The Contracting Authority will perform quality assurance on a minimum 10% of the measurements including areas of concern determined by the visual observation.   Verification testing is preferred to be done with compliance testing, but if not possible, should be completed within a week of form removal or final rolling of asphalt. Verification tests may be considered good if they are +/- .2% of the contractors reading or if the reading is within compliance. For curb ramps and turning spaces, the Contracting Authority will sign and date the S-sheet drawings or Tab 113-10 when satisfied with compliance.  For running sidewalks, shared use paths, and recreational trails, the Contracting Authority will sign and date the Pedestrian Facility Slopes form when satisfied with compliance.