I. URBAN DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

5. CURB RAMPS

1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Improperly designed transition or no transition at all between the curb and the street at pedestrian crossings and in the vicinity of building entrances.

2. PLANNING PRINCIPLE

To overcome changes in level between the pavement and the road surface and also on the pavement itself.

3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

3.1 General

Curb ramps are used wherever there is a difference in level on pedestrian paths or cross paths.

To avoid confusing sightless pedestrians, curb ramps should be positioned out of the usual line of pedestrian flow. The unobstructed width of the pathway should be not less than 0.90 m (see Pathways).

Curb ramps should be located away from places where water accumulates.

3.2 Types (a) Standard curb ramps: Cut back into the pavement with flared sides providing transition in three directions (fig. 1).

(b) Returned curb ramps: ⁽¹⁾ Providing slope in one direction. This could be a dangerous measure if the sides are not protected (fig. 2).

(c) Built-up curb ramps: ⁽²⁾ Usually with flared edges (fig. 3).

3.3 Application

At each quadrant of each street intersection (fig. 4).

At each pedestrian crossing, on opposite sides of the street (fig. 4).

At drop-off zones, near building entrances (fig. 5).

Between accessible parking areas and pathways (fig. 6).

3.4 Curb ramps at intersections

At intersections, curb ramps can be installed in any of the following ways:

(a) Directly in the path of travel (fig. 4).

(b) Diagonally across the corner ⁽³⁾ (fig. 7).

(c) Continuously wrapped around the corner (fig. 8).

3.5 Narrow pavement

Where the construction of curb ramps would affect the width of the travel route, the whole pavement should be lowered, at a maximum slope of 1:12, to provide the necessary level transition (fig. 9).

For narrow pavements lowered at a corner, the tactile tiling indicating the location of the pedestrian crossing could be constructed as indicated in figure 10.

3.6 Width

The minimum width of a curb ramp should be 0.90 m, excluding the sloping sides. The recommended width is 1.20 m ⁽⁴⁾ (fig. 11).

3.7 Slope

The maximum slope of a curb ramp should be 1:12.

The maximum slope of flares should be 1:12.

Level transfer is recommended between the curb ramp and the surface of a pathway. A lip not exceeding 15 mm can be used (fig. 11).

3.8 Guide strips

A guide strip painted in a contrasting colour should be constructed to guide sightless and partially sighted pedestrians to the location of the curb ramp (fig. 4). (see Pathway; Pedestrian Crossings)

3.9 Surface and colour

Curb ramps, including flares, should have a rough texture or ground pattern to make them detectable and slip-resistant.

The surface colour should be distinct and should contrast with the surrounding surfaces to guide pedestrians with limited vision.

4. EXISTING CONSTRUCTIONS

The maximum allowable slope for a curb ramp constructed along high pavements should not be more than 1:10. The maximum slope of the flares should also be 1:10.

If existing curb ramps do not comply with the above mentioned requirements, they should be modified.

For narrow pavements more than 0.15 m high, where the construction of curb ramps would obstruct the free passage of pedestrians:

(a) The pavement can be lowered to the road level to obtain the required transition between the pavement and the road surface (fig. 9) (fig.10).

(b) Built-up curb ramps can be constructed if they would not obstruct the required width of the road (fig. 3).

Notes:

(1) Returned curb ramps are unaccepted measures in some countries.

(2) In some countries, such as Canada, built-up curb ramps are accepted only as remedial measures to overcome existing barriers, but not on public streets or pathways.

(3) Corner curb ramps could be dangerous to wheelchair users if the pedestrian crossing is not wide enough.

(4) The curb ramp construction at pedestrian crossings does not need to cover the whole width of the crossing.

Fig. 2

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Fig. 4

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Fig. 7

Fig. 8

Fig. 9

Fig. 10

Fig. 11

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© United Nations, 2003-04
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Division for Social Policy and Development