Ramps, typically used for building access, are often provided on trails.
by Stuart Macdonald, Trail Consultant, American Trails
Ramps have a specific definition for building access in the ADAAG, "Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities". The maximum slope of a ramp is 1:12, the maximum rise for any run is 30 inches, and the minimum clear width of a ramp is 36 inches. Level landings are also required at top and bottom of each ramp run.
There can be good reasons to use these designs on urban trails, but ramps are not required in the proposed Accessibility Guidelines for trails. The Final Report on "Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor Developed Areas" noted that "Because the terrain in outdoor environments is often steep, the committee realized that applying current ADAAG slope and ramp requirements was not feasible." Likewise, handrails are not required on trails but are required on architectural ramps that rise more than 6 inches or are longer than 72 inches.
See examples below used in specific trail situations.
Engineered ramp along vertical wall brings pedestrians and bikers from sidewalk along Speer Blvd down to Cherry Creek Trail, Denver
Ramp leads visitors from parking lot down the slope to rail trail, on Withlacoochie State Trail, Florida; July 12, 2009
Ramp in downtown Reno, Nevada to trail along Truckee River; note level landing above pedestrian; March 9, 2008
Looking from top of ramp down the slope to Citrus Springs trailhead on the Withlacoochie State Trail, Florida
Accessible parking place with ramp in background at Citrus Springs trailhead on Withlacoochie State Trail, Florida
Wood walkway provides accessible route from main trail to river overlook, Suwannee River Wilderness Trail
Ramp to trail bridge at Fletcher's Cove on C and O Canal Trail; Washington, DC
Trail to overlook at Molas Pass on the Colorado Trail; note handrail only along slope above parking lot
Ramp used in a park with handrails following building standard rather than more appropriate Accessible Recreation Route guidelines which would omit railings, Aurora, Colorado
Elevated trail behind buildings at Downtown Lakewalk; Duluth, Minnesota
Ramps provide access from downtown businesses down to Duluth, Minnesota Lakewalk along Lake Superior
Ramp from city street leads to trail system along Downtown Lakewalk; Duluth, Minnesota
Circular ramp leads runners, strollers, and cyclists from Pfluger Bridge down to trail on north side of Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake), Austin, Texas
Circular ramp leads runners, strollers, and cyclists from Pfluger Bridge down to trail on north side of Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake), Austin, Texas
Beach access ramp provides pathway across dunes, San Diego River mouth, California
Trail to overlook at Molas Pass on the Colorado Trail; note handrail only along slope above parking lot
Stuart Macdonald spent 19 years as Colorado's State Trails Coordinator. He is the editor of American Trails Magazine. During 1998-99, he represented State Trail Administrators on the national committee that proposed regulations for accessible trails. He chaired the National Recreational Trails Committee, which advised the Federal Highway Administration in the first years of the Recreational Trails Program. Stuart grew up in San Diego and his main outdoor interest besides trails is surfing. He has a BA in English from San Francisco State and a Masters in Landscape Architecture from Utah State.
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