Applying the Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (Continued)
Getting from Here to There—Outdoor Recreation Access Routes
Section 2.0 of the FSORAG defines an outdoor recreation access route (ORAR) as a continuous, unobstructed path intended for pedestrian use that connects constructed features within a picnic area, camp living area, trailhead, or other recreation site where modifications are provided for visitor convenience and comfort. Figure 27 shows an ORAR connecting a parking lot and scenic overlook. ORARs must meet the required provisions for accessibility.
Figure 27—There would be no point in providing a
viewing area for the gorgeous Mendenhall Glacier
in Alaska if people couldn't get there from the
parking area. ORARs are all about getting around.
Forest Service recreation sites are described using a six-level development scale ranging from 0—No site Modification to 5—Extensive Site Modification. Site modifications are provided for visitor convenience and comfort in recreation sites with development levels 3, 4, and 5. Rustic or rudimentary site modifications may be provided for resource protection at level 2 or less.
General forest areas (GFAs) are nonwilderness National Forest System lands that are available for recreation use, where structures are built only when they are required for resource protection. These minimal developments, which may include picnic tables, fire rings, or toilet structures, are level 2 or less on the Forest Service recreation site development scale. ORARs are not required in GFAs.
In recreation sites, ORARs ensure that visitors can move independently from their camping or picnic spot to the other constructed features provided at the site or from the parking area to any constructed features. ORARs must meet requirements for running and cross slopes, resting intervals, surface, clear tread width, passing spaces, tread obstacles, protruding obstacles, openings, edge protection, and stairs.
Slopes and Resting Intervals for ORARs
ORARs are to be designed with a running slope ratio of 1:20 (5 percent) or less (figure 28). Steeper terrain may make this difficult to achieve. Visitors can negotiate steeper slopes for short distances, so running slopes up to 1:12 (8.33 percent) are permitted for up to 50 feet (15 meters), and running slopes of up to 1:10 (10 percent) are permitted for up to 30 feet (9 meters). To ensure that the ORAR isn't designed as a series of steep segments, no more than 15 percent of the total length of the ORAR may exceed a slope of 1:12 (8.33 percent). Running slope is the lengthwise slope of an ORAR, parallel to the direction of travel.
Figure 28—Determining the slope ratio.
Cross slopes—the side-to-side slope of an ORAR—can't exceed 1:33 (3 percent, see figure 28), although an exception permits a cross slope of up to 1:20 (5 percent) if necessary for proper drainage.
CONSTRUCTION TIP—What Is a Slope Ratio?
Slopes are often described as a ratio of vertical distance to horizontal distance, or rise to run. For instance, a slope of 1:20 means that for every 1 foot of vertical rise, there are 20 feet of horizontal distance, or for every meter of vertical rise, there are 20 meters of horizontal distance (figure 29).
Figure 29—The basic slope requirements
for ORARs and beach access routes.
Resting intervals are relatively level areas that provide an opportunity for people to catch their breath before continuing along the ORAR. These intervals are required any time the running slope exceeds 1:20 (5 percent). A resting interval must be at least 60 inches (1,525 millimeters) long and at least as wide as the ORAR leading into it.
The slopes of a resting interval can't exceed 1:33 (3 percent) in any direction (figure 30).
Figure 30—The basic resting interval requirements for ORARs.
Where running slopes are between 1:20 (5 percent) and 1:12 (8.33 percent), resting intervals must be provided at least every 50 feet (15 meters). For slopes from 1:12 (8.33 percent) to 1:10 (10 percent), resting intervals must be provided at least every 30 feet (9 meters). Depending on the design and location, the intersection of two ORARs may act as a resting interval.
Meeting the slope requirements for an ORAR may be more difficult when altering an existing site than it would be in new construction. Accessibility was seldom considered when older recreation sites were designed. Many campgrounds and picnic areas were located in spectacularly scenic settings, but on steep terrain. Complying with the slope provision in these areas may be difficult without a fundamental change to the recreation environment, so exceptions are provided for alteration projects where a condition for departure exists. This is one of only two instances where the FSORAG makes a distinction between new construction and alterations. The second exception is campground alterations, discussed later in this chapter.
In alterations only and where a condition for departure exists, exceptions are provided that permit running slopes up to 1:12 (8.33 percent) for 100 feet (30 meters), and up to 1:10 (10 percent) for 50 feet (15 meters). When these slopes are used, resting intervals are required every 100 feet (30 meters) and 50 feet (15 meters), respectively. Even with those exceptions, it may still not be possible to comply with the slope provision without drastically affecting the site. In these cases, a general exception to the entire slope provision is included if a condition for departure exists.
Where this occurs, the ORAR doesn't have to meet any of the slope requirements. However, designers should attempt to comply with the general slope requirement first, then each exception in order, to assure that the final design meets the highest possible technical provisions.
This exception does not apply to new construction. When planning for a new facility, the natural terrain and the general accessibility of the area itself should be part of the site selection criteria because compliance with ORAR provisions is required for new construction.
DESIGN TIP—When Should Handrails Be Used on Outdoor Stairs?
The use of outdoor stairs should be avoided wherever possible. Sometimes, an alteration project at an existing recreation site includes an area where stairs can't be avoided. The amount of use, safety, and the avoidance of the appearance of over development all are important considerations when deciding whether handrails are necessary and how many should be provided. For example, 5-foot wide stairs at a campsite may have just one handrail in the center to accommodate low-volume, two-way traffic. Treads that are just wide enough for one-way traffic could have one handrail. Two handrails may be needed if stairs are provided in high-traffic areas.
Handrails are not required for stairs in GFAs. Handrails may be provided if they are needed for safety.
Surfaces for ORARs
The surface of an ORAR and the surface surrounding constructed features must be firm and stable. No exceptions are allowed. Slip resistance is not required because leaves and needles, dirt, ice, snow, and other surface debris and weather conditions are components of the natural environment that would be difficult, if not impossible, to avoid.
DESIGN TIP—Paving the Wilderness?
Does a firm and stable surface always mean concrete and asphalt? No! The surface provision states that the type of surface material used should be appropriate to the setting and level of development. Some natural soils can be compacted so they are firm and stable. Other soils can be treated with stabilizers without drastically changing their appearance. Many surfaces that appear natural and that meet the firm and stable requirements also are available on the market. Designers are encouraged to investigate these options and use surfacing materials that are consistent with the site's level of development and that require as little maintenance as possible.
CONSTRUCTION TIP—Surfacing Materials
Generally, the following materials provide firmer surfaces that are more stable:
- Crushed rock (rather than uncrushed gravel)
- Rock with broken faces (rather than rounded rocks)
- A rock mixture containing a full spectrum of sieve sizes (rather
than a single size)
- Hard rock (rather than soft rock that breaks down easily)
- Rock that passes through a ½-inch (13-millimeter) screen
(rather than larger rocks)
- Rock material that has been compacted into 3- to 4-inch (75-
to 100-millimeter) thick layers (rather than thicker layers)
- Material that is moist, but not too wet, before it is compacted
(rather than material that is compacted when it is dry)
- Material that is compacted with a vibrating plate compactor, roller, or by hand tamping (rather than material that is laid loose and compacted by use)
The FSORAG defines a firm surface as a surface that is not noticeably distorted or compressed by the passage of a device that simulates a person using a wheelchair. A stable surface is defined as a surface that is not permanently affected by normally occurring weather conditions and can sustain wear and tear during normal use between planned maintenance cycles. During the planning process, the compaction qualities of natural soils should be evaluated under weather conditions that occur normally when the surface will be used.
If the natural soils won't provide a firm and stable surface, soil stabilizer or artificial surfacing will be needed. The Forest Service Technology and Development report, Soil Stabilizers on Universally Accessible Trails, contains information about the effectiveness of soil stabilizers. It is available http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/fspubs/00231202/.
Firm and stable surfaces prevent assistive devices from sinking into the surface, which would make movement difficult for a person using crutches, a cane, a wheelchair, or other assistive device. In the accessibility guidelines, the standard assistive device is the wheelchair because its dimensions, multiple moving surface contact points, and four wheels often are difficult to accommodate. If a person using a wheelchair can use an area, most other people also can use that area.
DESIGN TIP—What is Firm and Stable?
In the late 1990s, the Access Board funded an Accessible Exterior Surfaces research project conducted by Beneficial Designs of Minden, NV. Results of the study are available on the Access Board's Web site at: http://www.access-board.gov/research/Exterior%20Surfaces/exteriorsarticle.htm. One of the results of the project was development of a scientific method for determining firm and stable exterior surfaces.
Figure 31 shows the rotational penetrometer tool that can be used to evaluate surfaces. For further information, consult Beneficial Designs' Web site at: http://www.beneficialdesigns.com/.
What sort of surface is firm and stable? In general, if the answer to both of the following questions is yes, the surface is probably firm and stable.
- Could a person ride a narrow-tired bicycle across the surface
easily without making ruts? (The bicycle tires are similar to large
rear wheels of a wheelchair.)
- Could a folding stroller with small, narrow plastic wheels containing a 3-year-old be pushed easily across the surface without making ruts? (The stroller's wheels are similar to the front wheels of a wheelchair.)
While this method for determining firmness and stability isn't scientifically accurate, it has proven to be effective.
Figure 31—Using the rotational penetrometer to
determine whether a surface is firm and stable.
