5 - Staff briefing on changes to Driveway and Curb Ramp Design to achieve better compliance with ADA
C I T Y OF B O U L D E R
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD
NON-AGENDA ITEM
MEETING DATE:
May 10, 2004
AGENDA TITLE:
Staff briefing on changes to Driveway and Curb Ramp Design to achieve
better compliance with ADA guidelines.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of Boulder Public Works Department has revised its driveway cut and curb
ramp designs in order to improve mobility and access for the disabled community and to
better meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. These design changes
have been incorporated into the Design and Construction Standards manual which directs
public and private development construction. These designs will also be followed when
performing work in conjunction with Capital Improvement Program and specifically with
the Sidewalk Repair Program.
This memorandum provides information on the design changes that will be implemented
and the approach that will be taken with regard to work being done in conjunction with
the annual Sidewalk Repair Program.
Fiscal Impacts:
Budgetary: The cost to complete Sidewalk Repair Program work will increase.
Since the annual appropriation is expected to remain the same, this will impact the
size of the area that will be completed each year.
Staff Time: Additional staff time will be needed in order to work through the
individual situations that may arise. For example, because of the new designs, an
estimated 30 additional property owners will need to be worked with individually
to resolve the driveway and curb ramp issues adjacent to their property.
Other Impacts:
Community:
The revised driveway and curb ramp design is intended to improve
mobility and access for disabled persons, particularly those using
wheelchairs.
A driveway cut is typically the preferred type of design by many
homeowners and residents rather than the rollover curb driveway design
that will be implemented. Many property owners will be impacted by the
revised driveway cut design.
Background:
The Public Works Transportation Division has been evaluating its compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerning sidewalks and curb ramps. In
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addition, changes to industry standards have been made, including Colorado Department
of Transportation (CDOT) specifications.
The City of Boulder Public-Works Transportation staff has reviewed its design standards
and also researched the current and proposed ADA guidelines. The ADA Guidelines
recommend no more than a 2% cross slope when traveling on sidewalks and that the
vertical slope be no greater than 1:12. City of Boulder standards previously met the 1:12
vertical slope criteria. Adjustments to city standards are being made to meet the 2% cross
slope criteria and to ensure better compliance with ADA guidelines.
As of April 1, 2004, the revised designs for driveways and curb ramps have been
included in the Design and Construction Standards for public and private construction
projects. The Transportation Division will follow these designs when constructing its
Attachment A
transportation capital projects. See for a copy of the standards.
In addition, the Sidewalk Repair Program performs sidewalk repair work in a specific
area of Boulder each year. The 2004 program is expected to complete repairs in the
Martin Acres neighborhood and possibly the University Heights Avenue neighborhood.
Transportation staff will follow these practices regarding driveway cuts and curb ramps
while implementing the Sidewalk Repair Program.
Driveway cuts
No Existing Driveway
Repair sidewalk and keep the rollover curb design for the driveway.
Cut (Rollover Curb) -
Sidewalk Damaged in
Driveway
Existing Driveway Cut
Replace driveway cut with roll-over curb/attached sidewalk. Property owner will
– Sidewalk Damaged in
only be charged based on replacement of damaged sidewalk (50/50 split - $450
Driveway
max.) and the city will pay for the remainder to install new rollover curb
driveway.
OR
If driveway cut is desired to be maintained, we have our contractor replace the
non-ADA compliant drive with an ADA compliant drive. Property owner may
need to grant easement. Property owner will only be charged based on
replacement of damaged sidewalk (50/50 split - $450 max.) and the city will pay
for the driveway restoration.
Existing Drive Cut – No
Leave as is.
Sidewalk Damaged
Curb ramps at Intersections
No existing ramps – No R-O-W
Install curb ramp Type 1 (see Attachment B – “CDOT M-608-1 sheet
or landscape issues
2”).
No existing ramps – with R-O-
Install curb ramp Type 2 (see CDOT M-608-1 sheet 3).
W issues
OR
Obtain easement. Install curb ramp Type 1.
No existing ramps – with
Install curb ramp Type 2 (see CDOT M-608-1 sheet 3).
landscape issues
OR
Resolve landscape issues with property owner. Install curb ramp Type 1.
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If you have any further questions, please contact Stephany Westhusin at ext. 4274 or via
email at westhusins@ci.boulder.co.us.
Attachments:
Attachment A – Standards
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