34074 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 

1The following organizations were represented 

on the regulatory negotiation committee: American 

Society of Landscape Architects; American 

Camping Association; American Trails; 

Appalachian Trail Conference; Association of Blind 

Athletes; Hawaii Commission on Persons with 

Disabilities; KOA, Inc.; National Association of 

State Park Directors; National Association of State 

Trail Administrators; National Center on 

Accessibility; National Council on Independent 

Living; National Recreation and Park Association; 

National Spinal Cord Injury Association; New York 

State Department of Environmental Conservation; 

Paralyzed Veterans of America; Partners for Access 

to the Woods; Rails to Trails Conservancy; State of 

Washington, Interagency Committee for Outdoor 

Recreation; TASH; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; U.S. 

Department of Interior, National Park Service; U.S. 

Department of Transportation, Federal Highway 

Administration; U.S. Access Board; and Whole 

Access. 

ARCHITECTURAL AND 

TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS 

COMPLIANCE BOARD 

36 CFR Part 1195 

[Docket No. 2007–02] 

RIN 3014–AA22 

Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) 

Accessibility Guidelines for Outdoor 

Developed Areas 

AGENCY: Architectural and 

Transportation Barriers Compliance 

Board. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. 

SUMMARY: The Architectural and 

Transportation Barriers Compliance 

Board (Access Board) is proposing to 

issue accessibility guidelines for 

outdoor developed areas designed, 

constructed, or altered by Federal 

agencies subject to the Architectural 

Barriers Act of 1968. The guidelines 

cover trails, outdoor recreation access 

routes, beach access routes, and picnic 

and camping facilities. 

DATES: Comments should be received by 

October 18, 2007. The Access Board will 

hold hearings on July 24, 2007 from 2 

p.m. until 5 p.m. and on September 6, 

2007 from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, 

identified by Docket No. 2007–02, by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• E-mail: outdoor@access-board.gov. 

Include Docket No. 2007–02 in the 

subject line of the message. 

• Fax: (202) 272–0081. 

• Mail or Hand Delivery: Office of 

Technical and Information Services, 

Architectural and Transportation 

Barriers Compliance Board, 1331 F 

Street, NW., suite 1000, Washington, DC 

20004–1111. 

All submissions received must 

include the agency name and docket 

number for this rulemaking. All 

comments received will be posted 

without change to http://www.accessboard.gov, including any personal 

information provided. Comments will 

also be available for inspection at the 

above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on 

regular business days. The hearing on 

July 24, 2007 will be held at the Westin 

Westminster, 10600 Westminster 

Boulevard, Westminster, CO 80020; the 

hearing on September 6, 2007 will be 

held at the Madison Hotel, 1177 

Fifteenth Street, NW., Washington, DC 

20005. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill 

Botten, Office of Technical and 

Information Services, Architectural and 

Transportation Barriers Compliance 

Board, 1331 F Street, NW., suite 1000, 

Washington, DC 20004–1111. 

Telephone number (202) 272–0014 

(Voice); (202) 272–0082 (TTY). These 

are not toll-free numbers. E-mail 

address: botten@access-board.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Availability of Copies and Electronic 

Access 

Single copies of this publication may 

be obtained at no cost by calling the 

Access Board’s automated publications 

order line (202) 272–0080, by pressing 

2 on the telephone keypad, then 1 and 

requesting publication S–65 (Outdoor 

Developed Areas Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking). Please record your name, 

address, city, State, zip code, telephone 

number and request publication code S– 

65. Persons using a TTY should call 

(202) 272–0082. This document is 

available in alternate formats upon 

request. Persons who want this 

publication in an alternate format 

should specify the type of format 

(cassette tape, Braille, large print, or 

ASCII disk). This document is also 

available on the Board’s Web site 

(http://www.access-board.gov). 

Background 

The Architectural and Transportation 

Barriers Compliance Board (Access 

Board) is responsible for developing 

accessibility guidelines to ensure that 

new construction and alterations of 

facilities subject to the Americans with 

Disabilities Act of 1990 and the 

Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 are 

readily accessible to and usable by 

individuals with disabilities. The 

Americans with Disabilities Act applies 

to State and local government facilities, 

places of public accommodation, and 

commercial facilities. The Architectural 

Barriers Act applies to federally 

financed facilities. 

The Access Board has developed 

accessibility guidelines for buildings 

and various other facilities subject to the 

Americans with Disabilities Act and the 

Architectural Barriers Act. The Access 

Board recently revised the Americans 

with Disabilities Act and the 

Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility 

Guidelines in 2004. 69 FR 44084 (July, 

23, 2004). The revised accessibility 

guidelines are codified at 36 CFR Part 

1191, Appendices A through E, and are 

available at the Access Board’s Web site 

(http://www.access-board.gov/ada-aba/ 

final.htm). The revised accessibility 

guidelines include scoping and 

technical provisions for several types of 

recreation facilities, including 

recreational boating facilities, fishing 

piers and platforms, golf facilities, play 

areas, and swimming pools. However, 

the revised accessibility guidelines do 

not address access to such outdoor 

developed areas as trails, beaches, and 

picnic and camping facilities. 

The Access Board convened a 

Recreation Access Advisory Committee 

in 1993 as the first step in developing 

accessibility guidelines for outdoor 

developed areas and other recreation 

facilities. The advisory committee 

presented its report in 1994, and the 

Access Board issued an Advance Notice 

of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) the 

same year requesting public comment 

on the committee’s recommendations. 

59 FR 48542 (September 21, 1994). The 

public comments revealed a lack of 

consensus on some major issues 

regarding outdoor developed areas. 

The Access Board subsequently 

established a regulatory negotiation 

committee in 1997 to propose 

accessibility guidelines for outdoor 

developed areas.1 Regulatory 

negotiation is a supplement to the 

traditional rulemaking process that 

allows for face to face negotiations 

among representatives of affected 

interests, including the agency, with a 

goal of reaching consensus on a 

proposed rule. The proposed rule is 

then published in the Federal Register 

and the public has an opportunity to 

comment. Based on public comments 

received, the final rule may differ from 

the proposed rule. The regulatory 

negotiation committee reached 

consensus on proposed accessibility 

guidelines for outdoor developed areas, 

and presented its report to the Access 

Board in 1999. The regulatory 

negotiation committee’s report is 

available at the Access Board’s Web site 

(http://www.access-board.gov/outdoor/ 

outdoor-rec-rpt.htm). 

Federal agencies are required to assess 

the impacts of proposed rules and final 

rules, and prepare detailed analyses of 


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2A rule is considered economically significant if 

it may have ‘‘an annual effect on the economy of 

$100 million or more, or adversely affect in a 

material way the economy, a sector of the economy, 

productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, 

public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal 

governments or communities.’’ Executive Order 

12866, section (f)(1). 

the costs and benefits of the rules if the 

impacts are economically significant.2

Sufficient data is not presently available 

for the Access Board to assess the 

impacts of the proposed accessibility 

guidelines for outdoor developed areas 

on State and local governments and 

private entities. Consequently, the 

Access Board has decided to limit this 

proposed rule to outdoor developed 

areas designed, constructed, or altered 

by Federal agencies subject to the 

Architectural Barriers Act. At a future 

date, when an assessment of the impacts 

on State and local governments and 

private entities can be prepared, the 

Access Board will conduct a separate 

rulemaking for outdoor developed areas 

subject to the Americans with 

Disabilities Act. 

The proposed rule will primarily 

affect the following Federal land 

management agencies and their 

components: Department of Agriculture 

(Forest Service); Department of Interior 

(National Park Service, Fish and 

Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land 

Management, and Bureau of 

Reclamation), and Department of 

Defense (Army Corps of Engineers). In 

May 2006, the Forest Service published 

a notice of a final directive that requires 

compliance with the Forest Service 

Outdoor Recreation Accessibility 

Guidelines (FSORAG), 71 FR 29288 

(May 22, 2006), and the Forest Service 

Trail Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG) 

71 FR 29294 (May 22, 2006). The 

FSORAG and FSTAG provide 

accessibility direction for outdoor 

developed recreation areas in the 

National Forest System. When the Board 

finalizes its accessibility guidelines for 

outdoor developed areas, the Forest 

Service will revise the FSORAG and 

FSTAG as needed to incorporate the 

Board’s guidelines. 

The proposed accessibility guidelines 

in the regulatory negotiation 

committee’s report followed the format 

and numbering system of the Americans 

with Disabilities Act Accessibility 

Guidelines that was initially issued by 

the Access Board in 1991. As indicated 

earlier, the Access Board revised the 

Americans with Disabilities Act and the 

Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility 

Guidelines in 2004. The revised 

accessibility guidelines use a new 

format and numbering system. The 

proposed rule follows the new format 

and numbering system of the revised 

accessibility guidelines. The proposed 

rule has also been edited to conform to 

the style of the revised accessibility 

guidelines. The substance of the 

proposed rule is the same as in the 

regulatory negotiation committee’s 

report. 

The proposed rule is presented as a 

‘‘stand alone’’ document. The proposed 

rule consists of four chapters. Chapter 

T1 contains general provisions. Chapter 

T2 contains scoping provisions for 

trails, outdoor recreation access routes, 

beach access routes, picnic and camping 

facilities, and elements associated with 

those facilities. Chapter T3 contains 

technical provisions that are unique to 

the items scoped in Chapter T2. Chapter 

T4 contains supplementary technical 

provisions that are common to all 

facilities such as turning space, reach 

ranges, operable parts, and doors, and 

are also applicable to the items scoped 

in Chapter T2. Chapter T4 also adapts 

the technical provisions for toilet 

facilities to apply to pit toilets. Facilities 

and elements such as visitor centers, 

parking lots, plumbed toilets and 

bathing facilities, drinking fountains, 

recreational boating facilities, and 

fishing piers and platforms that are 

covered by the Architectural Barriers 

Act Accessibility Guidelines issued in 

2004 are not included in this proposed 

rule. A provision has been added to 

Chapter T2 (T201.4) requiring facilities 

and elements covered by the 

Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility 

Guidelines to comply with those 

guidelines. 

The Board invites comment on the 

format of the proposed rule and other 

format recommendations for the final 

rule. 

Access Board Questions 

The Board requests comments on the 

following questions related to the 

accessibility guidelines proposed by the 

Regulatory Negotiation Committee. 

Question 1: The Board acknowledges 

the difficulty in reaching consensus on 

proposed accessibility guidelines for 

newly constructed and altered trails and 

appreciates the hard work of the 

regulatory negotiation committee. 

Throughout the committee’s 

deliberations, several alternative 

approaches to addressing trail 

accessibility were considered. Some of 

the approaches considered and rejected 

included applying different provisions 

to ‘‘front’’ country and ‘‘back’’ country 

trails; general exemptions from 

accessibility in some areas; different 

provisions based on levels of 

development; and requiring only a 

certain percentage of new trails to be 

accessible. A summary of the 

committee’s deliberations on these 

approaches is included in the preamble 

under the section on trails (T203). The 

committee reached consensus on the 

approach presented in this proposed 

rule. Should the approaches that were 

rejected be reconsidered? Are there 

other approaches the Board should 

consider? If so, please provide 

information on how the alternative 

approaches would be applied and their 

rationale. 

Question 2: The proposed guidelines 

include conditions for exceptions from 

the technical provisions (T302). 

Condition 4 permits specific exceptions 

to the technical provisions for trails 

where compliance would not be feasible 

due to terrain or prevailing construction 

practices. The term ‘‘not feasible’’ is 

used in Condition 4 to specify what is 

‘‘reasonably do-able.’’ It does not refer to 

the technical infeasibility or possibility 

of full compliance with the technical 

provisions. Should the word 

‘‘practicable’’ also be used in this 

condition? That is, are there situations 

where it would be ‘‘reasonably do-able’’

to comply with the guidelines, but it is 

not ‘‘practicable’’ to do so? Should there 

be more guidance for determining what 

is or is not feasible or practicable in 

applying Condition 4? If so, what type 

of guidance should be provided? Should 

the guidance give specific examples of 

situations where certain provisions such 

as maximum running slope may not be 

feasible or practicable for a portion of a 

trail? 

Question 3: A newly constructed trail 

that complies with the technical 

provisions for trails would be 

considered an accessible trail and is 

required to display a symbol designating 

the trail as accessible. The committee 

did not reach consensus on what 

symbol should be displayed on the sign. 

Some suggested that the International 

Symbol of Accessibility that is used to 

designate accessible features in 

buildings was not appropriate to 

designate accessible trails because the 

technical provisions for trails differ 

from the technical provisions for 

accessible routes in buildings, and using 

the International Symbol of 

Accessibility for accessible trails may 

convey the message that accessible trails 

meet the same technical provisions as 

accessible routes in buildings. Others 

suggested that the International Symbol 

of Accessibility be paired with the 

International Hiker Symbol. Comments 

on this suggestion or other suggested 

symbols are welcome. 

The committee also recommended 

that trail signs provide detailed 

information about the trails’ running 


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slope, width, cross slope, and other 

characteristics. This would enable 

people to make informed decisions 

about using trails based on the 

characteristics of the trails. On the other 

hand, it was noted that this approach 

might result in signs that would be too 

elaborate and complicated, and some 

hikers might not be able to distinguish 

between the various characteristics to 

make appropriate choices. The Board 

requests comment on this issue. 

Information is provided in the advisory 

note to T321.2 showing examples of 

signs and other details. Question 25 also 

requests further comment on trail 

signage. 

Question 4: The committee proposed 

that a beach access route be required 

where pedestrian routes are provided to 

or along the edge of a beach. Several 

exceptions to this general requirement 

are included in the proposed rule. 

Section T205.2.3 Exception 6 provides 

an exception for pedestrian routes that 

are developed along the edge of an 

existing beach, such as a boardwalk. 

Under this exception, beach access 

routes would not be required if the 

pedestrian route or boardwalk is 

elevated 6 inches or higher above the 

beach surface. The Board is concerned 

that this exception will not provide 

sufficient access for persons with 

disabilities, especially where lengthy 

elevated boardwalk systems are 

provided. In view of this, the Board 

requests comments on whether a higher 

threshold than 6 inches should be used. 

Question 5: The proposed rule 

requires beach access routes to be a 

minimum of 36 inches in width. Should 

this width be increased? When beach 

access routes are less than 60 inches in 

width, a passing space of 60 inches by 

60 inches would be required every 200 

feet. Should the passing space be larger? 

Should passing spaces be provided 

more frequently than every 200 feet? 

The Board is interested in information 

from designers or operators who have 

provided beach access routes. 

Question 6: The proposed rule 

requires beach access routes to extend to 

the water. The Board requests comments 

on whether beach access routes should 

connect managed elements and spaces 

often located on a beach such as beach 

volleyball courts, first aid stations, 

beach rental equipment facilities, and 

concession stands. 

Question 7: The proposed rule 

(T308.3) requires the height of the 

cooking surface of a grill to be 15 inches 

minimum to 34 inches maximum above 

the floor or ground surface. Is the 15 

inch minimum height too low? If so, 

what dimension should be used and 

why? 

Question 8: The number of picnic 

tables, grills, benches, and other 

elements required to be accessible in 

this proposed rule is based on what is 

provided in an area. While no definition 

of area is provided, several examples are 

included in the advisory note to 

T206.2.2 to give guidance on what is 

intended. Areas may be ‘‘designated 

locations’’, separated and identified by 

a name or connected to a separate 

entrance road. Areas may also be 

separated and include different settings 

on the same site. For example, a picnic 

area located next to a lake in a park is 

considered a separate picnic area from 

a pavilion with numerous picnic tables 

within the same park. Does the term 

‘‘area’’ need to be defined? If so, please 

provide a recommended definition. 

Question 9: Extensive information is 

included in the advisory note to T303.3 

(Table A) on the degree of firmness and 

stability of a trail surface. The Board is 

seeking comment on whether the 

recommendations for the degree of 

surface firmness and stability should be 

based on the length of travel, the 

intended use, or the direction of traffic. 

For example, surfaces that are 

moderately firm or stable may be 

appropriate in areas where a cushioned 

surface is preferred (e.g., for a multi-use 

trail that includes equestrians). 

The Board requests comment on the 

concept of having a range of 

requirements for what will qualify as 

firm and stable. For example, is it 

acceptable for a trail under .5 miles in 

length to be only ‘‘moderately’’ firm? Is 

it acceptable for a trail less than .1 miles 

in length to be only ‘‘moderately’’ firm 

and ‘‘moderately’’ stable? Further, is it 

appropriate to consider a surface firm if 

the wheel of a wheelchair sinks into it 

by .5 inch? And, is it appropriate to 

measure both firmness and stability by 

the same wheelchair penetration test? 

While this information is only advisory, 

the Board requests comments on 

whether it should be included in the 

advisory at all. 

Question 10: Should the number of 

required accessible outdoor elements 

such as picnic tables, fire rings, and 

benches be increased from the scoping 

provisions in Chapter T2? In most cases, 

50% of the elements provided are 

required to be accessible. Of those 

elements required to be accessible, 40% 

are also required to be connected by an 

outdoor recreation access route. The 

Board is interested in comments and 

alternatives to the scoping provisions 

for these elements. 

Question 11: The guidelines issued by 

the Board in 2004 include changes to 

the technical provisions for reach 

ranges. The high side reach was 

changed from 54 inches to 48 inches 

maximum. Additionally, the low reach 

was changed from 9 inches to 15 inches 

minimum. These revised reach range 

provisions are included in Chapter T4. 

However, the proposed low reach for 

the fire building surface on fire rings 

was unchanged. The Board did not 

modify this provision since the 

regulatory negotiation committee 

specifically addressed the 9 inch 

minimum for this element. The Board is 

interested in comment on the 

application of the revised reach ranges 

to the various controls and operating 

mechanisms addressed in this proposed 

rule. 

General Issues 

The remainder of the preamble is 

from the report of the Regulatory 

Negotiation Committee. 

Alterations and Maintenance 

Alterations and maintenance of trails 

were discussed extensively by the 

committee. As a result of these 

discussions, guidance in determining 

when actions would be considered 

‘‘maintenance’’ or an ‘‘alteration’’ was 

needed. Where actions are considered 

an alteration, certain technical 

provisions will apply. There are no 

obligations to follow any technical 

provisions where the actions are 

considered maintenance or repair. 

Routine or periodic maintenance or 

repair of existing trails or trail segments 

is exempt from scoping and technical 

provisions for accessible trails. 

Maintenance and repair is performed to 

return a trail or trail segment back to the 

standards or conditions to which it was 

originally designed and built. In outdoor 

environments, the ability to maintain a 

facility is generally more limited, 

occurring relatively infrequently, except 

in highly developed areas. This type of 

work is not an alteration; it does not 

change the original purpose, intent, or 

design of the trail. The act of 

maintenance and repair includes, but is 

not limited to: 

• Removal of debris and vegetation 

such as downed trees or broken 

branches in the trailway, clearing a trail 

of encroaching brush or grasses, and 

removing rock slides; 

• Maintenance of the trail tread such 

as filling ruts and entrenchments, 

reshaping trail beds, repairing trail 

surfaces and washouts; installing rip rap 

(rock placed to retain cut and fill 

slopes), and constructing retaining walls 

or cribbing to support the trail tread; 

• Erosion control and drainage, 

replacing or installing necessary 

drainage structures such as drainage 

dips, water bars, or culverts, and 


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realigning sections of trail to deter 

erosion or avoid boggy or marshy areas; 

and 

• Repair of trail or trailhead 

structures, including replacing 

deteriorated, damaged, or vandalized 

parts of structures such as sections of 

bridges, boardwalks, information kiosks, 

fencing, railings, and painting or 

removing graffiti. 

Where practicable and feasible, 

resource managers are encouraged to 

maximize the opportunity to improve 

accessibility on trails through trail 

maintenance and repair activities. Every 

time a trail is maintained, the 

opportunity to improve access is 

present. 

Question 12: The committee 

recognized that the distinction between 

alterations and maintenance activities is 

as critical to picnic areas, campgrounds, 

and beaches as it is to trails. Although 

the previous discussion specifically 

refers to trails, the examples could be 

extrapolated to include other outdoor 

elements. How should alteration and 

maintenance activities be defined for 

picnic areas, campgrounds, and 

beaches, including outdoor recreation 

access and beach access routes? 

Question 13: Should there be different 

construction tolerances for the outdoor 

environment? For example, should the 

construction tolerances be greater with 

respect to trails, picnic areas, camping 

facilities, and beach access routes than 

interior accessible routes? If so, how 

should those tolerances be defined? 

Relationship Between Use of All 

Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and the 

Proposed Accessibility Guidelines for 

Trails 

During the committee deliberations, 

some individuals expressed concern 

that applying the proposed accessibility 

guidelines to trails in the ‘‘back 

country’’ or lesser developed portions of 

outdoor recreation areas would make it 

more difficult for public land managing 

agencies to appropriately manage the 

use of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and off 

highway vehicles (OHVs) in these areas. 

One concern was that requiring land 

managing agencies to consider making 

trails in lesser developed areas 

accessible according to the proposed 

guidelines would make it more difficult 

to control and restrict where these types 

of devices may be used. 

The proposed guidelines for trails 

address their design, construction, and 

alteration in the same manner that other 

accessibility provisions address fixed 

facilities. They are similarly based on 

the dimensions and use patterns of 

those assistive devices commonly 

referenced throughout the Board’s 

guidelines. While in the outdoor 

environment it may be possible to 

encompass a wider variety of mobility 

enhancing equipment, the necessity of 

protecting the environment and 

maintaining the appropriateness of the 

setting might exclude certain devices, 

particularly ATVs or OHVs. That 

decision is reserved for the 

administrative agency or owner of the 

affected property and is beyond the 

scope of these guidelines. 

Trails Used as Transportation Facilities 

(Shared Use Paths) 

Many trails are used as non-motorized 

transportation facilities. Users may 

include bicyclists and skaters as well as 

pedestrians. These accessibility 

guidelines apply to these trails. 

However, bicyclists and skaters have 

design needs which exceed the 

minimum guidelines for trails. A trail 

designed only to meet the proposed 

accessibility guidelines for trails may 

not be adequate, and possibly hazardous 

for bicyclists or skaters. 

The primary design guide for bicycle 

and shared use facilities is the ‘‘Guide 

for the Development of Bicycle 

Facilities’’ from the American 

Association of State Highway and 

Transportation Officials (AASHTO), 

1999. The AASHTO Guide defines a 

‘‘shared use path’’ as a facility on 

exclusive right-of-way and minimal 

cross flow by motor vehicles. Users 

generally include bicyclists, skaters, and 

pedestrians. (In areas with heavy snow, 

shared use paths may be used by crosscountry skiers or snowmobilers.) A 

summary of how the AASHTO Guide 

relates to the proposed accessibility 

guidelines for trails is provided. In most 

cases, the AASHTO Guide requires a 

greater level of accessibility when 

designing trails for pedestrians, 

including bicyclists and skaters. 

Shared use paths provide nonmotorized transportation connections 

between neighborhoods and 

communities. They may be along old 

railroad corridors or rivers, or pass 

through parks. Shared use paths are 

usually separated from adjoining 

roadways or streets either by distance or 

a barrier, and are usually distinct from 

sidewalks. They generally have 

relatively few driveways or street 

crossings. A summary of how the 

AASHTO Guide relates to the proposed 

accessibility guidelines for trails is 

included below. Trails designed for 

recreational use by mountain bicyclists 

are not expected to meet AASHTO 

Guidelines. 

COMPARISON OF AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS (AASHTO) GUIDELINES

FOR BICYCLE FACILITIES AND THE PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR TRAILS

Outdoor developed areas accessibility guidelines AASHTO guide for the development of bicycle facilities 

T303.3 Surface: Firm and stable ........................................................... Bicycles need the same firmness and stability as wheelchairs; skaters 

usually require a smooth, paved surface. Most shared use paths are 

paved, although crushed aggregate surfaces are used on some 

paths. 

T303.4 Clear Tread Width: 36 inches (3 feet; 915 mm); exception for 

32 inches (815 mm).

Shared use paths usually require a minimum 3 meter (10 foot) width, 

plus a 0.6 meter (2 foot) safety buffer on both sides. A 2.4 m (8 foot) 

width may be allowed in low use facilities. Posts or bollards installed 

to restrict motor vehicle traffic should be spaced 1.5 m (5 feet) apart. 

Posts or bollards should be brightly painted and reflectorized for visibility. When more than one post is used, use an odd number, with 

one on the centerline to help direct opposing traffic. 

T303.5 Openings (Gaps): To prevent wheelchair wheels and cane 

tips from being caught in surface openings or gaps, openings in trail 

surfaces shall be of a size which does not permit passage of a 1⁄2

inch (13 mm) diameter sphere; elongated openings must be perpendicular or diagonal to the direction of travel; exception to permit parallel direction elongated openings if openings do not permit passage 

of a 1⁄4 inch (6 mm) sphere; second exception to permit openings 

which do not permit passage of a 3⁄4 inch (19 mm) sphere.

The AASHTO Guide does not specify a maximum dimension for a surface opening, but openings should be minimized. Openings should 

not permit a bicycle wheel to enter. Grates should be flush with the 

surface, and elongated openings should be perpendicular to the direction of travel (diagonal openings are more difficult for bicyclists to 

negotiate). Where openings are unavoidable, they should be clearly 

marked. 


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COMPARISON OF AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS (AASHTO) GUIDELINES

FOR BICYCLE FACILITIES AND THE PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR TRAILS—Continued 

Outdoor developed areas accessibility guidelines AASHTO guide for the development of bicycle facilities 

T322.1 Protruding Objects:T405 provide a warning if vertical clearance is less than 80 inches (2030 mm).Protruding objects should not exist within the clear tread width of a 

shared use path. Vertical clearance on shared use paths should be a 

minimum of 3 m (10 feet) or the full clear width including safety buffers. Where vertical barriers and obstructions, such as abutments, 

piers, and other features are unavoidable, they should be clearly 

marked. 

T303.6 Tread Obstacles (Changes in level, roots, rocks, ruts): Up to 2 

inches (50 mm); exception up to 3 inches (75 mm).

Tread obstacles are hazardous to bicyclists and skaters. The surface 

of a shared use path should be smooth and should not have tread 

obstacles. 

T303.7 Passing Space: At least 60 inches (1525 mm) width within 

1,000 foot (300 m) intervals. Advisory recommends more frequent intervals for some trail segments.

Shared use paths should have a minimum clear width of 3 m (10 feet); 

exception for 2.4 m (8 feet). 

T303.8.1 Cross Slope: 1:20 (5%) maximum; exceptions for open 

drains up to 1:10 (10%).

For drainage, shared use paths should have a minimum 2 percent 

(1:50) cross slope on a paved surface. On unpaved shared use 

paths, particular attention should be paid to drainage to avoid erosion. Curves on shared use paths may require super elevation beyond 2% (1:50) for safety reasons. The Guide suggests limited cross 

slope for accessibility reasons. 

T303.8.2 Running Slope: 1:20 (5%), any length; 1:12 (8.33%), for up 

to 200 feet; 1:10 (10%), for up to 30 feet; 1:8 (12.5%), for up to 10 

feet. No more than 30% of the total trail length shall exceed 1:12.

Running slopes on shared use paths should be kept to a minimum; 

grades greater than 5 percent are undesirable. Grades steeper than 

3 percent may not be practical for shared use paths with crushed 

stone or other unpaved surfaces. Where terrain dictates, grade 

lengths are recommended as follows: <5% (<1:20), any length; 5–

6% (1:20–16.7), for up to 240 m (800 feet); 7% (1:14.3), for up to 

120 m (400 feet); 8% (1:12.5), for up to 90 m (300 feet); 9% 

(1:11.1), for up to 60 m (200 feet); 10% (1:10), for up to 30 m (100 

feet); 11+% (1:9.1), for up to 15 m (50 feet). 

T303.9 Resting Intervals: Size: 60 inch (1525 mm) length, at least as 

wide as the widest trail segment adjacent to the rest area. Less than 

1:20 (5%) slope in all directions. Resting areas are required where 

trail running slopes exceed 1:20 (5%), at intervals no greater than 

the lengths permitted under running slope (see T302.6.2 above).

The Guide does not address resting intervals. 

T303.10 Edge Protection: Where provided, 3 inch (75 mm) minimum 

height. Handrails are not required.

The Guide does not address edge protection. Some kinds of edge protection may be hazardous to bicyclists and skaters. The Guide has 

minimum railing height recommendations when needed for safety 

reasons. 

T222 Trail Signs: Accessible trails require designation with a symbol 

of accessibility, and information on total length of the accessible segment. No traffic control sign information.

Guidance on signing and marking is provided in the Manual on Uniform 

Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), incorporated by reference as a 

Federal regulation (23 CFR 655.601). A proposed amendment for 

Part 9 (Traffic Controls for Bicycle Facilities) was published in the 

Federal Register on June 24, 1999 (64 FR 33802). 

The ‘‘Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities’’ is available through the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), 444 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 249, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 624–5800, fax (202) 624–5806, https://bookstore.transportation.org/ 

Section-by-Section Analysis 

This section of the preamble contains 

a summary of the proposed accessibility 

guidelines for trails, outdoor recreation 

access routes, beach access routes, and 

picnic and camping facilities. The text 

of the proposed rule follows this 

section. 

Chapter T1: Application and 

Administration 

This chapter states general principles 

that recognize the purpose of the 

guidelines (T101), modification and 

waivers (T102), conventions (T103), and 

definitions (T104). 

T102 Modifications and Waivers 

The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) 

authorizes certain agencies to grant a 

modification or waiver from the scoping 

and technical provisions upon a caseby-case determination. 

T103 Conventions 

All dimensions not stated as a 

‘‘maximum’’ or ‘‘minimum’’ are 

absolute and are subject to conventional 

industry tolerances except where a 

range is provided. Rules are provided 

for calculations of percentages. 

T104 Definitions 

Definitions for ‘‘alterations’’ and 

‘‘facility’’ have been added by the Board 

to this proposed rule and are based on 

definitions in the Architectural Barriers 

Act Accessibility Guidelines issued in 

2004. The other definitions are from the 

regulatory negotiation committee’s 

report. 

The definition of ‘‘beach access route’’

and ‘‘designated trailhead’’, ‘‘outdoor 

recreation access route’’, and ‘‘tread 

width’’ are included as a part of the 

final report. 

The term ‘‘beach access route’’ is 

defined as a continuous unobstructed 

path designated for pedestrian use that 

crosses the surface of the beach. Beaches 

can be found in three general aquatic 

environments: coastal areas, along 

rivers, and along lakes and ponds. 

Although the term ‘‘beach’’ is not 

defined, the committee broadly 

considered this to include designated 

areas along a shore of a body of water 

providing pedestrian entry for the 

purposes of water play, swimming, or 

other water shoreline activities. A beach 

access route is a designated path and 

different from an area where entry into 

the water is possible, but not provided. 


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A beach access route is a pathway 

over the surface of the beach itself, not 

the route leading to the edge of the 

beach surface. When a beach is fronted 

by a park or other outdoor developed 

area, the route over the surface to the 

edge and beginning of the beach surface 

may be considered an outdoor 

recreation access route addressed by 

section T204. 

A ‘‘designated trailhead’’ is defined as 

a designated point of access that may 

contain parking areas, information 

kiosks, restrooms, water hydrants, and 

may be reached by vehicular or 

pedestrian access. A designated 

trailhead is a ‘‘point of access’’ to a trail 

intended for public use where 

information may be provided. The 

designated trailhead may include a 

vehicle parking area for the public to 

access the trail or may connect from a 

sidewalk or from a street or road in an 

area where pedestrian access from a 

nearby neighborhood may be expected. 

It does not include a junction between 

trails where there is no other access or 

a location where a trail crosses a road 

and public access from the road is not 

expected or is discouraged. It also does 

not include an access point not open to 

the public. 

An ‘‘outdoor recreation access route’’

is a continuous unobstructed path 

designated for pedestrian use that 

connects accessible elements within a 

picnic area, camping area, or designated 

trailhead. 

The term ‘‘trail’’ is defined as a route 

that is designed, constructed, or 

designated for recreational pedestrian 

use or provided as a pedestrian 

alternative to vehicular routes within a 

transportation system. 

A trail designed, constructed, or 

designated for pedestrian use may also 

have other uses, such as bicycling or inline skating. It is recognized that 

pedestrians use all trails. However, 

these guidelines apply only to trails 

where travel on foot is one of the 

designated uses for which the trail was 

created. For example, a trail designated 

for mountain biking will not be 

considered a ‘‘pedestrian trail’’ whether 

or not pedestrians actually use the trail. 

However, a multi-use trail specifically 

designed and designated for hiking and 

bicycling would be considered a 

pedestrian trail. Trails include, but are 

not limited to, a trail through a forested 

park, a shared-use path, or a back 

country trail. Trails do not include 

pathways such as sidewalks, pathways 

in amusement parks, commercial theme 

parks, carnivals, or between buildings 

on college campuses. These exterior 

accessible routes are already covered by 

the Architectural Barriers Act 

Accessibility Guidelines issued in 2004. 

The accessibility guidelines for trails 

apply to those which are designed and 

constructed for pedestrian use. These 

guidelines are not applicable to trails 

primarily designed and constructed for 

recreational use by equestrians, 

mountain bicyclists, snowmobile users, 

or off-road vehicle (ORV) users, even if 

pedestrians may occasionally use the 

same trails. People use these categories 

of trails by means of transportation 

other than foot travel or personal 

mobility device. Design and 

construction requirements for 

equestrians, mountain bikes, ORVs, and 

snowmobiles are based on the specific 

requirements for the intended mode of 

transportation. For the safety of trail 

users, pedestrian use may not always be 

permitted on these trails in order to 

minimize conflicts between motorized 

and non-motorized recreation. These 

trails do not preclude use by a person 

with a disability since it is planned that 

all trail users would be using the one or 

more alternative means of transportation 

for which the trail is designed and 

constructed. The design and 

construction of pedestrian trails without 

consideration of these proposed 

guidelines, by contrast, could present 

barriers to some trail users because the 

intended use is by foot or personal 

mobility device. For these reasons, the 

committee intentionally limited the 

application of the proposed guidelines 

to pedestrian use trails. 

The definition used in these proposed 

guidelines is not the only definition 

used by trail designers and managers. 

Rather, it was developed to specifically 

define the scope of these guidelines. 

Additionally, it is intended that trails 

and side trails leading to elements 

related to the trail, such as campsites 

and restrooms, should meet the 

accessibility guidelines for trails, not 

outdoor recreation access routes. 

The term ‘‘tread width’’ is defined as 

the width of the usable trail tread 

measured perpendicular to the direction 

of travel and on or parallel to the surface 

of the usable trail tread. The minimum 

clear tread width is the narrowest 

measurement on the usable trail tread 

with respect to a specific trail segment. 

Clear tread width differs from clear 

width in that the latter is the amount of 

land potentially available for the trail. 

Chapter T2: Scoping Requirements 

Chapter T2 contains scoping 

provisions that specify which elements 

and spaces are required to comply with 

the technical requirements in Chapters 

T3 and T4. 

T201 Application 

This section provides that these 

guidelines apply to all newly designed 

and constructed trails, outdoor 

recreation access routes, beach access 

routes, and picnic and camping 

facilities and altered portions of existing 

trails that connect to an accessible trail 

or designated trailhead. The 

requirements apply to both permanent 

and temporary facilities. It is recognized 

that compliance with this section will 

not always result in facilities that will 

be accessible to all persons with 

disabilities. These guidelines recognize 

that often the natural environment will 

prevent full compliance with certain 

technical provisions. 

T202 Additions and Alterations to 

Existing Facilities 

This section requires that each 

addition to an existing facility comply 

with the requirements for new 

construction. 

T202.3 Alterations 

This section requires that where 

existing trails connecting to designated 

trailheads or accessible trails are altered, 

they shall comply with the requirements 

of Chapters T2 and T3. Committee 

members sought to limit the application 

of these guidelines where existing trails 

are not connected to a designated 

trailhead or an accessible trail. Further 

discussion is included under T203 

Trails. The section also provides that 

where existing outdoor recreation access 

routes, beach access routes, and picnic 

and camping facilities are altered, each 

altered element or space must comply 

with the applicable requirements of 

Chapter T2. Additionally, an alteration 

is prohibited from decreasing or having 

the effect of decreasing the level of 

accessibility below the requirements for 

new construction or imposing a 

requirement for accessibility greater 

than that required for new construction. 

Exception 1 addresses the circulation 

path to an altered element or space. 

Where the circulation path to the altered 

element or space is not altered, an 

outdoor recreation access route is not 

required. 

Exception 2 addresses altered picnic 

and camping elements. Where picnic or 

camping elements are altered and the 

ground surface is not, the ground 

surface is not required to comply with 

provisions for clear space, surface slope, 

and accessible surfaces. 

T203 Trails 

This section requires that where trails 

connect to designated trailheads or 

accessible trails, they shall comply with 

T303. Where elements or spaces are 


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provided on trails complying with T303, 

they shall comply with the applicable 

requirements of Chapter T2. 

Committee members were concerned 

about the application of these proposed 

accessibility guidelines to new and 

altered trails connecting to portions of 

existing trails. They were concerned 

about the development of newly 

constructed trails connecting to an 

existing trail, where it was highly 

unlikely that the existing portion could 

ever be made accessible. They were 

specifically concerned about newly 

constructed and altered trails in the 

‘‘middle of nowhere’’. To address this 

concern, section T203 clarifies that the 

technical provisions apply only to 

newly designed and constructed trails, 

and altered portions of an existing trail 

that connects to an accessible trail or a 

designated trailhead. Where new trails 

connect to an existing trail that is not 

accessible, the technical provisions do 

not apply. Additionally, the technical 

provisions do not apply where the new 

or altered portion is not connected to a 

designated trailhead. 

Section T203 also requires elements 

provided on trails to comply with the 

applicable requirements of Chapters T2 

and T3. For example, if a bench is 

provided along a trail complying with 

T303, the bench must meet the 

applicable provisions of T313. Where 

elements are provided along trails, they 

are not required to be connected by an 

outdoor recreation access route. 

Question 14: Where trails are not 

accessible, the committee could not 

agree on whether elements such as 

benches, picnic tables, or toilet rooms 

located on a trail should be required to 

be accessible. For example, an element 

such as a picnic table may be located on 

a trail too steep to be accessible. The 

committee considered how future and 

existing technology will allow assistive 

devices to get over more difficult 

terrain. The committee discussed 

options to minimize scoping (e.g., one of 

each element) requirements or limit the 

requirement to certain elements such as 

sanitary facilities. Should elements 

located on inaccessible trails be 

required to be accessible? 

The committee considered many 

different approaches to developing 

accessibility guidelines for newly 

constructed and altered trails. Each 

approach balanced accessibility with 

the uniqueness of the outdoor 

environment. The following are 

examples of the approaches considered 

for trails throughout the committee’s 

deliberations. 

• Requiring a percentage of the miles 

of trails provided to be accessible. Using 

this approach, it was agreed that some 

trails, such as paved urban and 

suburban transportation routes, should 

usually be accessible. But the committee 

could not agree on the types of trails, 

other than the type mentioned above, 

that should be accessible and to what 

percent. The committee determined that 

this approach would be too arbitrary 

and too difficult to follow. 

• Requiring a percentage of the total 

number of trails to be accessible. The 

committee could not agree on a 

percentage. A significant issue was the 

difficulty in separating existing trails 

and new trails when determining the 

total number of trails. 

• Dividing trails into different 

categories (i.e., front country and back 

country) and requiring certain 

accessibility guidelines to be followed. 

The committee could not agree on the 

categories, nor could it agree that a trail 

in one category would always be 

different than a trail in another category. 

A concern was that only ‘‘easy’’ trails 

would be made accessible, thereby 

eliminating the ability for people with 

disabilities to use more difficult trails. 

• Requiring a certain level of access 

dependent on the location of the trail in 

terms of the type of setting (i.e., highly 

developed, moderately developed, or 

minimally developed). Definitions must 

be agreed to and understood by the 

trails community, people with 

disabilities, and land management 

agencies that are a part of the Federal 

government. The committee could not 

find acceptable definitions for a 

‘‘settings’’ approach. 

Committee members evaluated each 

approach through extensive discussion 

and analysis. Within each proposal, the 

committee weighed the balance between 

accessibility and the uniqueness of the 

outdoor environment. Trails are often 

designed for a certain experience, or for 

the user or types of use within the 

setting. Primitive or back country trails 

for example, are usually found in 

remote locations or in a natural state 

with limited development. Throughout 

the discussions, committee members 

were concerned that providing access 

would change the experience or result 

in a significant environmental impact. 

Even providing accessible trails in a 

highly developed setting raised 

concerns that all trails would begin to 

look alike. Committee members did not 

want the proposed guidelines to impede 

the creativity of planners or designers. 

As this discussion evolved, some 

concerns common to each approach 

arose regarding the potential impact on 

the natural environment. The committee 

attempted to clarify and define these 

concerns so that all involved could 

agree. The result is that section T302 

defines four conditions where trail 

construction projects can depart from 

the technical provisions. This departure 

is allowed for the duration of the 

existence of the condition, or unless the 

condition is such that it makes it 

impractical to make the remainder of 

the trail accessible. 

When designed and constructed, an 

accessible trail is a trail that meets the 

technical provisions included within 

these proposed guidelines. It is also 

considered accessible where one of the 

exceptions within the technical 

provisions is used to address a specific 

condition. This is limited to certain 

exceptions, and does not include those 

that allow for departure from the entire 

provision based on the conditions in 

T302. 

T204 Outdoor Recreation Access 

Route 

An outdoor recreation access route is 

a continuous unobstructed path 

designated for pedestrian use that 

connects accessible elements within a 

picnic area, camping area, or designated 

trailhead. Outdoor recreation access 

routes do not include pathways such as 

sidewalks, pathways in amusement 

parks, visitor centers, commercial theme 

parks, or carnivals and between 

buildings on college campuses already 

addressed by the Architectural Barriers 

Act Accessibility Guidelines issued in 

2004. 

Outdoor recreation access routes are 

required to connect elements required to 

be accessible. For example, where a 

cooking grill and a picnic table are 

provided in an accessible camp site, the 

outdoor recreation access route is 

required to connect these elements. 

Elements such as benches or picnic 

tables located along a trail, however, are 

not required to be connected by an 

outdoor recreation access route. 

At least one outdoor recreation access 

route must connect accessible elements 

and spaces within the area. Five 

exceptions are added to this provision. 

Elements located on trails are not 

required to be connected by an outdoor 

recreation access route. Where multiple 

picnic tables, fire rings, cooking surfaces 

or benches are provided, at least 40 

percent (of the accessible elements), but 

not less than two, must be located along 

an outdoor recreation access route. For 

example, if ten picnic tables are 

provided in a picnic area, T206.2.2 

requires five tables to be accessible. Of 

the five tables required to be accessible, 

40 percent, or two, would need to be 

located along an outdoor recreation 

access route. 

In the outdoor recreation 

environment, the natural terrain often 


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presents a real obstacle. Although this 

would not affect the accessibility of 

elements such as picnic tables and fire 

rings, it could impact getting to them. 

The committee realized that in many 

areas, it might not be possible to locate 

all accessible elements along an outdoor 

recreation access route. Rather than 

decreasing the number of accessible 

elements, the decision was made to 

reduce the scoping for outdoor 

recreation access route connections. 

While some committee members wanted 

all accessible elements to be located 

along an outdoor recreation access 

route, other committee members felt 

that would be unrealistic in the outdoor 

environment given constraints of the 

natural terrain. The committee finally 

reached consensus on requiring 40 

percent of the accessible elements to be 

located along the outdoor recreation 

access route. 

T205 Beach Access Routes 

Section T205.2 addresses the location 

of beach access routes. Beach access 

routes shall coincide with or be located 

in the same area as general circulation 

paths. 

The proposed accessibility guidelines 

for beaches include two scoping 

provisions. Section T205.2 addresses 

new beaches and section T205.3 

addresses existing beaches. A ‘‘new 

beach’’ refers to sites where a beach is 

created through the importation of sand 

or other beach surface to create a new 

beach where none previously existed. 

The proposed guidelines treat ‘‘new 

beaches’’ differently from ‘‘existing 

beaches’’. A beach access route is 

required in new construction. The 

committee agreed that the opportunity 

to provide access is greater with a newly 

constructed beach. The committee also 

considered the option of a scoping 

requirement based upon the volume of 

new beach created, but due to the 

difficulty in measuring a changing 

volume of sand, did not include that 

option. 

Section T205.2 requires that where a 

new beach is constructed, a minimum of 

one beach access route must be 

provided for every one half mile of 

linear feet of new beach. The committee 

considered that one half mile was a 

reasonable distance between beach 

access routes on a new beach. 

Question 15: Comment is sought on 

the impact of constructing a beach 

access route every 1⁄2 mile along a new 

beach. If this distance is not 

appropriate, other specific distances are 

requested. 

Question 16: The committee outlined 

several exceptions to the application of 

the technical provisions for beach 

access routes in T305. Comment is 

sought about whether there are any 

other situations for which site 

infeasibility would preclude compliance 

with the technical provisions for a 

beach access route. If so, are there 

specific technical provisions (T305) 

where departures may be necessary due 

to site constraints? 

Section T205.3 addresses beach 

access routes for an existing beach. 

Where a pedestrian route is provided 

from a developed site to the edge of an 

existing beach surface, a beach access 

route must be provided. This provision 

addresses a situation when an entity 

decides to construct a pedestrian route 

which is used by everyone to access a 

beach. In that situation, the action will 

trigger an obligation to address access 

for persons with disabilities. The 

committee did not limit the obligation 

to only when an entity constructs a path 

perpendicular to a beach edge because 

few such paths are developed. The 

committee also intended to include 

pedestrian sidewalks or boardwalks 

along the beach as ‘‘pedestrian routes’’ 

to the edge of an ‘‘existing beach.’’ 

Question 17: The committee 

considered beach sites where 

constructed parking spaces or a parking 

lot is provided adjoining the beach. 

Should the provision of constructed 

parking spaces adjoining the beach, 

trigger a beach access route? If so, 

should the trigger be based on the 

number of parking spaces or some other 

measure? 

The committee discussed several 

options and decided that the obligation 

to provide a beach access route over the 

surface of the beach would be triggered 

when a pedestrian access route to the 

edge of the beach surface is provided. 

The committee recognized that this 

would obligate an entity to extend a 

path further than they might have 

originally intended. However, the 

committee felt strongly that a developed 

path which ends at the edge of the 

beach surface would be of little use to 

a person with a disability who wishes 

to traverse the beach itself. They also 

believed that this requirement was 

reasonable since the provision allows 

the beach access route to be either 

temporary or permanent. Designers and 

operators can decide the type of route 

appropriate given the different 

environments. The committee 

determined that the beach route would 

be required to the same point 

appropriate for an ocean, river, lake, or 

reservoir. 

Several exceptions are permitted for 

routes on existing beaches. Exception 1 

permits the use of a ‘‘temporary’’ beach 

access route where one is required. The 

committee believed that requiring a 

permanent structure was far too 

restrictive from a design or 

environmental perspective. In 

particular, constraints of the 

environment may limit or preclude the 

construction of permanent structures. 

Permanent structures may also require 

additional permits in coastal and 

shoreline areas. Wave action can also 

cause significant erosion which can 

shortly turn a permanent structure into 

a hazard. Therefore, entities can choose 

to use a temporary structure for 

administrative and operational reasons. 

Vehicular access or access provided by 

an assistive device would not meet the 

technical provisions of a beach access 

route. While these options may enhance 

access to the beach for persons with 

disabilities, they are not considered 

alternatives to providing a beach access 

route. The committee intended that 

temporary beach access routes be in 

place during all hours where the public 

has access to the beach. 

Exception 2 exempts routes created 

solely for shoreline maintenance from 

complying with T205. The committee 

recommended exempting those routes 

which are strictly established for 

shoreline maintenance personnel, 

particularly if accessed by a vehicle. 

Exception 3 exempts routes created 

solely as undeveloped public easements 

from complying with section T205. The 

committee recommended an exemption 

if a ‘‘route’’ is merely an open public 

easement and right of way, an 

undeveloped space or opening created 

between developments where a 

developer leaves space open under the 

requirements of State or local laws for 

shoreline access. 

Exception 4 exempts a beach access 

route from being required where another 

beach access route exists within onehalf mile and is within the beach of the 

same jurisdiction. The committee 

recommended that if a beach access 

route already exists to the beach in close 

proximity, there should be no 

requirement to create another beach 

access route. The committee considered 

one-half mile to be a reasonable distance 

so long as the existing beach route is 

served by the same beach. This is 

similar to the philosophy that all 

entrances into the same building do not 

have to be accessible. The one-half mile 

is also consistent with the requirement 

for scoping for a second route with 

construction of a new beach. 

Exception 5 distinguishes beach 

replenishment from alterations. 

Nourishment is the process of 

replenishing a beach. While it can occur 

naturally with the depositing of sand 

from wave action, it is more commonly 


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accomplished artificially by 

mechanically depositing sand on the 

beach. A beach may completely erode 

before it is artificially nourished, or it 

may be nourished on a periodic 

schedule to maintain the desired 

amount of beach for use or to act as a 

barrier for adjoining buildings and 

facilities. Exception 5 permits the 

process of beach nourishment without 

triggering the alteration provision. The 

committee did not believe that such 

activities should trigger any obligations 

for a beach access route over the surface 

of the beach. 

Question 18: Comment is sought on 

whether there is a need to distinguish 

between certain beach nourishment 

projects. Should certain beach 

nourishment activities or projects trigger 

the requirements of a beach access 

route? If so, how should these projects 

be identified or defined? 

Exception 6 provides an exception 

where the pedestrian route which is 

developed along the edge of an existing 

beach is elevated higher than 6 inches 

above the beach surface. This exception 

is intended to address those situations 

where a lengthy pedestrian route such 

as a sidewalk fronts the length of a 

beach and the route is elevated higher 

than 6 inches. The committee 

recognized that those areas would be 

drop-offs where the creation of a beach 

access route would require 6 feet of 

ramp to be constructed to meet the 

beach surface. 

T206 Picnic Tables 

Section T206.2.1 requires that where 

one fixed picnic table is provided in a 

picnic area, it must be accessible. The 

table must also be located along an 

outdoor recreation access route. This 

provision is included in order to ensure 

that a picnic area with only one table is 

accessible to and usable by people with 

disabilities. If only one table is 

provided, and it is not accessible, 

people with disabilities would not have 

the option of choosing another table. 

This provision applies only to picnic 

tables that are ‘‘fixed’’ to the ground, 

(i.e., permanently attached such as by a 

chain from the table to a concrete 

footing below ground). 

Section T206.2.2 requires that where 

two or more picnic tables are provided 

in a picnic area, at least 50 percent, but 

no less than two, must be accessible. 

Some committee members initially 

proposed 100 percent scoping, requiring 

all tables to be accessible. Other 

members considered 100 percent too 

high and more than what is required for 

the built environment. After much 

debate, committee members agreed that 

50 percent scoping would adequately 

accommodate the demand for accessible 

tables. Committee members considered 

this to be realistic and feasible for most 

outdoor recreation providers, and would 

result in a higher number of accessible 

tables in smaller picnic areas. 

The proposed scoping provision 

addresses picnic tables located in an 

‘‘area.’’ An ‘‘area’’ refers to a designated 

location where picnic related elements 

are located. For instance, a picnic 

‘‘area’’ is a designated location where 

picnic related elements are located. 

Areas may be separated and include 

different settings on the same site. For 

example, a picnic area located next to a 

lake in a park is considered a separate 

picnic area from a pavilion with 

numerous picnic tables within the same 

park. Picnic ‘‘areas’’ may also be 

separated and designated by a name or 

connected to a separate entrance road. 

Section T206.3 requires accessible 

tables to be dispersed among the various 

types of picnic settings or opportunities 

provided. For example, a particular 

picnic area may offer picnic sites near 

the lake, in the woods, or in the open 

sunny portion of the area. This 

provision requires that the number of 

accessible tables be distributed 

throughout the area, so that people with 

disabilities would have a choice of 

picnic locations similar to what other 

visitors to the area have. This section 

would not increase the total number of 

accessible tables required in T206.2. 

Section T206.4 addresses wheelchair 

spaces and requires at least one 

wheelchair space at an accessible picnic 

table. Where the table top perimeter 

exceeds 24 linear feet, the number of 

wheelchair spaces must comply with 

Table T206.4. More wheelchair spaces 

would be required where the perimeter 

of the table top (not including the 

bench) exceeded 24 linear feet. The 

location of the wheelchair space(s) 

would be left to the discretion of the 

designer, although an advisory note 

(T306.2) recommends that the 

wheelchair spaces be dispersed rather 

than clustered in one location. 

Committee members discussed the 

issue of wheelchair spaces at length, 

finally basing the number of spaces on 

an average table dimensioned at ten-feet 

long by 2 and one half feet wide. Such 

a table has a perimeter of 25 linear feet 

and is designed to accommodate up to 

ten people. The committee decided 

tables of that size should provide two 

wheelchair spaces, while smaller tables 

should only require one space. Tables 

with a perimeter of 45 to 64 linear feet 

(i.e., two ten-foot long tables joined 

together) would require three 

wheelchair spaces. Tables with 65 to 84 

linear feet would require four 

wheelchair spaces, and so on. 

T207 Fire Rings 

Section T207.2.1 requires that where 

only one fire ring is provided in an area, 

it must be accessible. 

Section T207.2.2 requires that where 

two or more fire rings are provided in 

an area, at least 50 percent, but not less 

than 2, must be accessible. 

Section T207.3 requires that the 

accessible fire rings be located 

throughout an area and be dispersed 

among the types of fire rings, if different 

styles or designs are provided. For 

example, a picnic area may provide fire 

rings without cooking surfaces (i.e., for 

camp fires only) and some with cooking 

surfaces. In addition, the area may offer 

sites nestled in the trees, some near the 

water, and others in open meadows. 

This section would require that 

accessible fire rings be available in both 

types and distributed among the 

different sites, affording people with 

disabilities the similar choice of fire ring 

location that is available to other 

visitors. This provision does not require 

an increase in the total number of 

accessible fire rings. 

T208 Cooking Surfaces, Grills, and 

Pedestal Grills 

Section T208.2.1 requires that where 

only one cooking surface, grill, or 

pedestal grill is provided in an area, it 

shall comply with section T308. Section 

T208.2.2 requires that where multiple 

cooking surfaces, grills, or pedestal 

grills are provided in an area, 50 

percent, but not less than two, shall 

comply with T308. The rationale for this 

provision is consistent with picnic 

tables (T206), fire rings (T207) and other 

outdoor elements. 

Section T208.3 requires accessible 

cooking surfaces, grills, and pedestal 

grills to be dispersed throughout the 

area and among the types provided. For 

example, if a picnic area offers different 

types of cooking surfaces, the total 

number of accessible cooking surfaces is 

to be distributed among the different 

types provided. This provision would 

not increase the number of cooking 

surfaces, grills, or pedestal grills 

required to be accessible. 

T209 Trash and Recycling Containers 

Section 209.1 requires each trash or 

recycling container to be accessible. The 

committee considered this to be a health 

issue making it imperative that each 

container meet the provisions for 

accessibility. This requirement is 

compatible with those for other singly 

occurring elements in an outdoor 

setting, as well as providing consistency 


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with the Architectural Barriers Act 

Accessibility Guidelines. An exemption 

is provided where the container has one 

or more compartments. In this case, 50 

percent of the compartments must be 

accessible. The committee determined 

that this requirement would assure the 

user of finding at least one accessible 

compartment in a multi-bin container. 

T210 Wood Stoves and Fireplaces 

Section T210.1 requires each wood 

stove and fireplace to be accessible. 

T211 Overlooks and Viewing Areas 

Section T211.1 requires each viewing 

area, where provided, on designated 

overlooks to be accessible. 

Overlooks and viewing areas are 

specifically designed and constructed to 

provide an unobstructed observation of 

a vista or to a specific point of interest, 

such as the view to a mountain range or 

down into a valley or to a waterfall or 

geologic formation. As such, they are a 

destination for the user and should be 

accessible. An exception permits a 

minimum of one of each viewing 

opportunity for distinct points of 

interest where multiple viewing areas 

are provided. 

T212 Telescopes and Periscopes 

Section T212.1 requires that when 

telescopes or periscopes are provided, 

20 percent, but never less than one, 

telescope or periscope must be 

accessible. Where only one telescope or 

periscope is provided, it must be usable 

from the seated position and also be 

usable from the standing position. This 

configuration will provide accessibility 

and usability. 

Viewing areas or overlooks are 

sometimes equipped with mounted 

telescopes and less often with 

periscopes. The purpose of these 

elements is to provide the visitor with 

an even closer view of a distinct point 

of interest (rather than a vista). 

Many existing sites only provide 

scopes usable from a standing position. 

This does not accommodate the needs of 

people using wheelchairs, children, or 

people of shorter stature. The committee 

made specific mention of children when 

discussing scopes, based on experiences 

of having to lift children to use scopes. 

Lifting may not be possible for people 

with back difficulty or insufficient 

strength. 

T213 Benches 

Section T213.2.1 requires that where 

only one bench is provided, the bench 

must be accessible. The committee felt 

that it was important that where only a 

single bench is provided, it must be 

usable by all visitors. This is generally 

consistent with the Architectural 

Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines 

and with the other elements of this 

section. The single bench must have at 

least one armrest to facilitate its use. 

The committee recognized that 

benches, when provided, are key 

elements in many outdoor settings, such 

as picnic areas or day use areas. They 

are used for a variety of purposes, 

including places of rest or relaxation, 

meeting spots, and places from which to 

view events such as sporting activities. 

Whatever the use, the committee 

determined that the bench or benches, 

where provided, should be accessible. 

However, benches that are part of an 

assembly area are not addressed and are 

not required to meet these provisions. 

Section T213.2.2 requires that where 

multiple fixed benches are placed in an 

area, at least 50 percent must be 

accessible. This assures the visitor that 

there will be at least one bench available 

which is accessible. Further, of the 

benches that are required to be 

accessible, 50 percent must provide an 

armrest. The committee felt that visitors 

should be provided with a choice of 

bench configurations that will 

accommodate different needs. An 

armrest provides support when 

occupying the bench and assists in 

transfer to or from the bench. 

Section T213.3 requires dispersal of 

accessible benches. This provision does 

not require an increase in the total 

number of accessible benches. The 

dispersion of accessible benches 

throughout an area provides for a 

variety of settings and is consistent with 

other provisions in the Architectural 

Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines. 

T214 Utility Sinks 

A utility sink is a sink that has a 

vertical dimension deeper within the 

confines of the sink than a standard 

lavatory basin, and allows the user of a 

picnic area or campground setting to 

clean large pots or equipment. 

Section T214.1 requires that where 

utility sinks are provided, at least 5 

percent, but not less than one, must be 

accessible. 

T215 Mobility Device Storage 

Facilities 

The committee addressed the need for 

storage space for mobility devices 

primarily where an individual using a 

wheelchair or other mobility device 

must transfer to another device or 

vehicle in order to take advantage of the 

services or programs offered at the 

outdoor facility. A ski facility where 

individuals may use an adaptive ski to 

participate, is an example where this 

type of element may be provided. The 

committee believed that where storage 

facilities are provided to protect from 

environmental effects or theft or 

vandalism, at least one storage facility 

must comply with T315. 

T216 Pit Toilets 

Pit toilets are very primitive 

outhouses, and may consist simply of 

holes dug in the ground covered by a 

toilet riser. The riser may or may not be 

surrounded by walls and a roof. Pit 

toilets are generally located in remote, 

undeveloped areas, and are provided 

primarily for resource protection rather 

than visitor convenience and comfort. 

Pit toilets may be permanent 

installations, or may be moved from one 

location to another as the hole is filled. 

These provisions apply to fixed pit 

toilets. 

Section T216.1 requires each fixed pit 

toilet to be accessible, since usually 

only one pit toilet is provided in an 

area. This scoping is consistent with 

what would be required for other 

individually occurring elements. 

T217 Utilities 

Section T217.1 requires utilities such 

as electric, water, sewage, and other 

similar types of utilities serving 

accessible elements or spaces to also be 

accessible. 

T218 Camping 

Section T218.2 requires camping 

spaces (e.g., recreational camping 

vehicle or trailer spaces, tent camping 

spaces, camping shelters, or tent pads 

and tent platforms), where provided, to 

be accessible in accordance with Table 

T218.2. Table T218.2 provides the 

number of accessible camping spaces 

and is based on the total number of 

spaces provided. 

Modifications were made to the 

existing transient lodging scoping in the 

Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility 

Guidelines to create higher numbers of 

accessible camping spaces in the low 

range and more accessible campsites in 

each of the three basic camping styles. 

Each camping style category must 

achieve the proper scoping 

independently of the others. 

The proposed scoping provisions 

require higher accessibility where lower 

numbers of features are provided. This 

was extensively debated among 

committee members and is intended to 

address the higher probability of 

utilization where low numbers of 

elements are provided. As an example, 

the chance of two picnic tables being 

occupied at the same time and place is 

much higher than five picnic tables 

being occupied at the same time, even 

though the demand may increase 


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proportionately to the number of tables 

offered. 

This section divides campsites into 

three categories: Recreational Camping 

Vehicle or Trailer Spaces, Tent Spaces, 

and Camping Shelters and Additional 

Campground Spaces. Campsite use 

requires specific equipment and a 

specially designed area may not be 

suitable for every use. For example, if 

someone comes prepared to use a tent, 

they may not be able to use a paved 

recreational camping vehicle site. 

Section T218.2 also addresses other 

camping elements provided in 

accessible camping spaces. To ensure 

usability, all elements that are provided 

as a part of an accessible campsite must 

meet the applicable provisions of 

Chapters T2 and T3. All elements 

provided in accessible campsites must 

be accessible. 

Section T218.2.1 requires recreational 

vehicle spaces or trailer spaces to 

comply with Table T218.2. An 

exception is included where camping 

spaces are designed for both tent 

camping and recreational camping 

vehicle or camping trailer use. In this 

case, at least 50 percent of the accessible 

multi-use spaces must be 20 feet wide 

minimum and the remainder are 

permitted to be reduced to 16 feet wide 

minimum. 

Section T218.2.2 requires that where 

camping spaces are designed for use for 

tent camping and camping shelters, 

accessible tent and camping shelter 

spaces shall comply with T318.2.2, 

T318.2.4, and T318.3. 

Section T218.3 addresses general use 

parking areas. Where recreational 

camping vehicle spaces or trailer spaces 

are provided, at least one must comply 

with T318.2.3 and T318.2.4. Accessible 

recreational camping vehicle spaces or 

trailer spaces in general parking areas 

are necessary to accommodate shortterm parking needs. The exception 

separates campsite parking from general 

parking. This requirement provides a 

special recreational camping vehicle 

parking space in addition to the current 

Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility 

Guideline scoping for parking areas. 

T219 Warming Huts 

Section T219.1 requires each warming 

hut to have a turning space that 

complies with T402. Where doors are 

provided, they must comply with T408. 

T220 Outdoor Rinsing Showers 

Section T220 addresses outdoor 

rinsing showers. The committee 

recognized that provisions for shower 

stalls already existed. However, the 

provisions are clearly intended for 

indoor facilities. Some provisions (grab 

bars and a seat) may not be applicable 

for an outdoor shower stall or rinsing 

shower typically found at a beach or at 

camping facilities. Outdoor rinsing 

showers are not typically designed with 

walls like other showers in the built 

environment. Therefore, the committee 

recommended that specifications for an 

outdoor shower be developed. In order 

to distinguish this type of shower from 

those already addressed, the committee 

used the term ‘‘outdoor rinsing shower’’. 

An advisory note has been added to 

further identify what is considered a 

rinsing shower. 

Section T220.2 addresses the 

minimum number of accessible outdoor 

rinsing showers. The committee 

examined several ways to scope 

showers, considering a percentage 

formula, a chart similar to parking or 

telephones, and a minimum number. 

Because the committee ultimately 

recommended two types of outdoor 

rinsing showers, a low and high version, 

the committee recommended that a 

minimum number, one of each type, be 

accessible where rinsing showers are 

provided. If only one is provided, it 

must be a dual shower. 

T221 Signs 

Section T221.1 requires signs on 

accessible trails and trail segments to be 

designated with a symbol at the trail 

head or designated access points. 

Section T221.2 requires signs on 

accessible campsites by using the 

International Symbol of Accessibility 

(ISA). Identification of accessible 

campsites by the ISA was determined to 

be necessary where campsite occupancy 

and site selection is made by users and 

is based on a first come, first served 

basis. To accommodate campground 

operations that assign sites either 

through a reservation service or upon 

arrival, the ISA is not required and an 

exception is provided to accommodate 

this distinction. It was determined that 

site assignment would create better 

utilization of accessible sites than the 

use of ISA signage. Signage is also not 

required where all sites are accessible. 

T222 Protruding Objects 

Section T222.1 requires protruding 

objects on trails, outdoor recreation 

access routes, and beach access routes to 

comply with T405 and to have 80 

inches minimum clear head room. 

Chapter T3 Technical Provisions 

Chapter T3 contains technical 

provisions for features required to be 

accessible in Chapter T2. 

T302 Conditions for Exceptions 

Section T302 sets out four conditions 

under which exceptions from certain 

technical provisions are permitted. Each 

technical provision must be examined 

individually to determine whether an 

exception from that provision is 

permitted. This section does not provide 

an overall exemption of the entire trail 

or outdoor element. When an exception 

is permitted, the proposed guidelines 

specifically provide an exception to the 

respective technical provision. This is 

essential as the outdoor environment is 

very different than a constructed indoor 

environment. Factors which influence 

the ability to provide fully accessible 

facilities such as soil, surrounding 

vegetation, hydrology, terrain, and 

surface characteristics, are fundamental 

to the outdoor area. Where trails are 

concerned, the committee recognized 

that without the opportunity to permit 

exceptions from the technical 

provisions, compliance may 

significantly alter the nature of the 

outdoor experience. 

The conditions in T302 do not obviate 

or limit in any way the obligation to 

comply with the technical provisions in 

Chapter T3 at any point where the 

conditions do not apply. When the 

condition for an exception no longer 

exists, the technical provisions apply. 

For example, the clear width of a trail 

tread may be reduced because of a 

significant natural feature. Once the trail 

passes this feature, the technical 

provisions for width shall apply. This 

approach also applies when designing 

certain outdoor elements also included 

in this section. The conditions that 

permit exception from specific technical 

provisions are described below. 

Condition 1. Compliance Would Cause 

Substantial Harm to Cultural, Historic, 

Religious, or Significant Natural 

Features or Characteristics 

A significant natural feature may 

include a large rock, outcrop, tree, or a 

water feature which would block or 

interfere with trail construction or 

would be directly or indirectly altered 

or destroyed by construction of the trail 

to the extent that the trail could not, at 

that point, be made accessible. This 

includes areas protected under Federal 

or State laws, such as areas with 

threatened or endangered species or 

designated wetlands that could be 

threatened or destroyed by full 

compliance with the technical 

provisions. It also includes areas where 

compliance would directly or indirectly 

substantially harm natural habitat or 

vegetation. 


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Significant cultural features include 

areas such as archaeological sites, 

sacred lands, burial grounds and 

cemeteries, and Indian tribal protected 

sites. Significant historical features 

include properties on or eligible for the 

National Register of Historic Places or 

other places of recognized historic 

value. Significant religious features 

include Indian sacred sites and other 

properties designated or held sacred by 

an organized religious belief or church. 

Condition 2. Compliance Would 

Substantially Alter the Nature of the 

Setting or the Purpose of the Facility, or 

Portion of the Facility 

This condition includes trails 

intended to provide a rugged experience 

such as a cross country training trail 

with a steep grade or a challenge course 

with abrupt and severe changes in level. 

If these types of trails were flattened out 

or otherwise constructed to comply with 

the technical provisions for accessible 

trails, they would not provide the 

intended and desired level of challenge 

and difficulty to users. Trails that 

traverse over boulders and rocky 

outcrops, are another example. The 

purpose of such trails is to provide 

people with the opportunity to climb 

the rocks. To remove the obstacles along 

the way or reroute the trail around the 

rocks would destroy the purpose of the 

trail. The nature of the setting may also 

be compromised by actions such as 

widening a trail through the use of 

imported surfaces in a remote location 

or removing ground vegetation in 

meadows or alpine areas. 

Trails and other outdoor elements 

such as picnic and camping areas are 

designed to provide a particular 

opportunity for the user. Throughout 

the discussions regarding these outdoor 

elements, many committee members 

were concerned that complying with the 

technical provisions could change the 

nature of some recreation opportunities. 

Further, compliance could negatively 

impact the unique characteristics of the 

natural setting, the reasons why people 

choose to recreate in the outdoors rather 

than an indoor environment. People 

using primitive trails or camping areas, 

for example, often experience the 

outdoor environment in a more natural 

state with limited or no development. 

Evidence of manufactured building 

materials or engineered construction 

techniques in such a setting can change 

its primitive character, and therefore, 

the user’s experience. In these settings, 

people are generally looking for a higher 

degree of challenge and risk where they 

can use their outdoors and survival 

skills. Compliance with the technical 

provisions, particularly those related to 

surface and obstacles, could destroy the 

‘‘natural’’ or ‘‘undeveloped’’ nature of 

the setting. This condition addresses 

these concerns. 

Condition 3. Compliance Would 

Require Construction Methods or 

Materials That Are Prohibited by 

Federal, State, or Local Regulations or 

Statutes 

Federally designated and some State 

designated Wilderness Areas prohibit 

use of mechanized equipment, limiting 

construction methods to hand tools. 

Imported materials may be prohibited in 

order to maintain the integrity of the 

natural ecosystem. Construction 

methods and materials employed in 

designated wetlands or coastal areas are 

also strictly limited. For traditional, 

historic, or other reasons, many trails 

are built using only the native soil for 

surfacing, which may not be firm and 

stable. Federal statutes such as the 

Wilderness Act and the Endangered 

Species Act, and State and local statutes 

often impose restrictions to protect or 

address environmental concerns. Many 

aquatic features are protected under 

Federal or State laws. Some constructed 

water crossings, which would be 

required to provide accessibility, may 

not be permitted under certain laws or 

regulations. 

‘‘Local regulations and statutes’’ have 

been included to address conditions 

where ‘‘conservation easements’’ or 

‘‘development rights’’ programs have 

prohibited or restricted construction 

methods and practices. For example, 

where land is purchased from farms, 

certain use restrictions may prohibit the 

importation of surfacing. On the other 

hand, local regulations or statutes may 

not be developed or initiated with the 

sole purpose of prohibiting use by 

people with disabilities. For example, 

initiating a new local regulation that 

arbitrarily restricts trail width to a 

dimension that would not allow passage 

of wheelchairs or other mobility devices 

from accessing a trail, is not permitted 

under this condition. 

Condition 4. Compliance Would Not Be 

Feasible Due to Terrain or the Prevailing 

Construction Practices 

Complying with the technical 

provisions, particularly running slope, 

in areas of steep terrain may require 

extensive cuts or fills that would be 

difficult to construct and maintain, or 

cause drainage and erosion problems. 

Also, in order to construct a trail on 

some steep slopes, a trail may become 

significantly longer causing a much 

greater impact on the environment. 

Certain soils are highly susceptible to 

erosion. Other soils expand and contract 

along with water content. If compliance 

requires techniques that conflict with 

the natural drainage or existing soil, the 

trail would be difficult, if not 

impossible to maintain. This condition 

may also apply where construction 

methods for particularly difficult terrain 

or the presence of an obstacle would 

require the use of equipment other than 

that typically used throughout the 

length of the trail. One example is 

requiring the use of a bulldozer to 

remove a rock outcropping when hand 

tools are commonly used. 

Several of these conditions for 

departures are consistent with other 

exceptions for trails. For example, it 

may be impracticable in new 

construction to follow these provisions 

where soil and terrain pose obstacles 

which cannot be remedied. Compliance 

with the provision for a firm and stable 

surface might conflict with the 

prevailing construction practices by 

requiring the importation of a new 

surfacing material that would otherwise 

not have been used. For example, if the 

prevailing construction practices would 

not include the importation of a new 

surface material and the natural surface 

material could not be made firm and 

stable, the trail may not be able to 

comply with that specific provision. 

The term ‘‘not feasible’’ is used in this 

situation to specify what is ‘‘reasonably 

doable’’. It does not refer to the 

technical feasibility or possibility of full 

compliance with the technical 

provisions. For example, it may be 

feasible to provide a trail with a 1:20 

slope or less up a 1,500 foot tall 

mountain using heavy construction 

equipment, but the trail would be at 

least 5.8 miles long (rather than 2 miles 

long under a traditional back-country 

layout), and may cause inappropriate 

environmental and visual impacts. The 

intent of this conditional departure is to 

recognize that the effort and resources 

required to comply would not be 

disproportionately high relative to the 

level of access created. Although 

technically feasible, the effort and 

resources required are not ‘‘reasonable.’’

Trail construction practices vary 

greatly, from the use of volunteer labor 

and hand tools, to professional 

construction with heavy, mechanized 

equipment. For alterations to an existing 

trail, the ‘‘prevailing construction 

practices’’ are defined as the methods 

typically used for construction or 

maintenance of the trail. For new trails, 

it is recognized that the land manager 

determines the construction practices to 

be used on each trail. However, the 

choice of construction practices is 

primarily determined by the available 

resources (e.g., machinery, skilled 


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operators, finances) and the 

environmental conditions (e.g., soil type 

and depth, vegetation, natural slope). 

The intent of this condition is to ensure 

that compliance with the technical 

provisions does not require the use of 

construction practices which are above 

and beyond the skills and resources of 

the trail building organization. It is not 

intended to automatically exempt a trail 

from the technical provisions simply 

because of a particular construction 

practice, (e.g., the use of hand tools or 

to suggest that hand tools should be 

used to avoid compliance) when more 

expedient methods and resources are 

available. 

Where specified, the presence of the 

conditions in T302 may also prevent 

full compliance with some of the 

technical provisions for elements in 

picnic, camping, and beach facilities. 

While the conditions for departures may 

be more limited with these outdoor 

elements, the committee included the 

option for exceptions based on the 

conditions in several provisions. In 

most cases, these are limited to 

technical provisions for clear floor or 

ground space, surface slope, and 

accessible surfacing. 

Where designers or operators apply an 

exception from a specific technical 

provision because of one or more of the 

conditions, the other technical 

provisions should be applied. For 

example, a significant cultural feature 

may prohibit a 36 inch trail tread width. 

However, all other provisions could be 

met because they would not be affected 

by the condition. 

T303 Trails 

T303.2 General Exceptions 

The committee realized that there 

may be situations where the 

combination of factors and conditions 

may make it impractical to make the 

entire portion of the trail accessible 

according to the technical provisions. 

Two general exceptions in section 

T303.2 were developed to address these 

situations. First, where one or more of 

the conditions in T302 applies and 

where one or more of the conditions in 

this general exception applies, the trail 

is not required to be accessible after the 

first point of departure. The segment of 

the trail between the designated 

trailhead and the first point of departure 

is required to be accessible unless the 

trail segment is 500 feet or less in 

length. If the trail segment connects to 

a prominent feature less than 500 feet 

from the designated trailhead, it is 

required to be accessible between the 

trailhead and the prominent feature. 

The general exceptions are based on 

these conditions: 

• The combination of running slope 

and cross slope exceeds 40 percent for 

over 20 feet; or, 

• A trail obstacle 30 inches or more 

in height is across the full tread width 

of the trail; or, 

• The surface is neither firm nor 

stable for a distance of 45 feet or more; 

or, 

• A clear trail width is less than 12 

inches for a distance of 20 feet or more; 

or 

• The trail is not required to comply 

with any of the technical provisions in 

T303 for more than 15 percent of the 

length of the trail. 

The 15 percent threshold in the last 

condition is a compromise, negotiated 

to balance the resources and 

environmental impact with the 

practicality of providing meaningful 

access on trails. The committee 

recommends that trail designers and 

managers attempt compliance with all 

technical provisions throughout the full 

length of the trail. 

Section T303.3 requires the surface of 

accessible trails to be firm and stable. 

The ‘‘slip resistance’’ requirement 

typically required for accessible surfaces 

was not included because slip resistance 

cannot be guaranteed in an outdoor 

environment. Weather conditions (rain, 

snow, or ice) will affect slip resistance. 

For example, natural or non-hardened 

surfaces may not be slip resistant. Slip 

resistance may also be difficult to 

control when leaves and other surface 

debris caused by natural erosion 

accumulate on the surface. 

The means and materials used to 

establish accessible exterior surfaces are 

plentiful. Crushed stone, fine, packed 

soil, and other natural materials can 

provide a firm and stable surface. 

Natural materials bonded with synthetic 

materials can provide the required 

degree of stability and firmness. An 

advisory has been added to provide 

additional information concerning 

accessible exterior surfaces. An 

exception is permitted from this 

provision where one or more of the 

conditions in T302 exist. 

Section T303.4 requires the clear trail 

tread width to be 36 inches minimum. 

Exception 1 permits the clear trail tread 

width to be reduced to 32 inches 

minimum where one of the conditions 

in T302 applies. Exception 2 permits 

departures from T303.4 where a 32 inch 

minimum width cannot be provided 

because one of the four conditions in 

T302 exists. 

Section T303.5 requires openings in 

trail surfaces to be of a size that does not 

permit the passage of a 1⁄2 inch diameter 

sphere. Elongated openings must be 

placed so that the long dimension is 

perpendicular or diagonal to the 

dominant direction of travel. Exception 

1 permits elongated openings to be 

parallel to the dominant direction of 

travel where the opening does not 

permit passage of a 1⁄4 inch diameter 

sphere. This is necessary to allow trail 

managers to place boards lengthwise 

along a boardwalk trail to reduce the 

environmental impact such as on a 

wetland area. Exception 2 permits 

openings that do not permit passage of 

a 3⁄4 inch diameter sphere where at least 

one of the conditions in T302 applies. 

Exception 3 exempts trails from the 

provisions of T303.5 where openings 

that do not permit passage of a 3⁄4 inch 

diameter sphere are not feasible because 

at least one of the four conditions in 

T302 apply. 

A 3⁄4 inch spacing is permitted 

through an exception since many trails 

use wood plank decking or boardwalks 

to cross wet, sandy, rocky, or 

environmentally sensitive areas. The 

planks expand and contract because of 

weather conditions. The boardwalks 

may need more than 1⁄2 inch spacing 

between the planks to permit expansion 

and to allow water to drain. 

Section T303.6 requires that any tread 

obstacles shall not exceed 2 inches 

maximum in height. Exception 1 

permits a 3 inch obstacle where the 

running and cross slopes are 1:20 or 

less. Exception 2 permits obstacles 

greater than 3 inches where at least one 

of the conditions in T302 applies. The 

committee recognized that natural 

features such as rocks, roots, and ruts 

may require a greater obstacle height 

than what is permitted in the indoor 

environment. Some wheelchairs used in 

an outdoor environment are designed to 

handle obstacles of these heights. 

However, trails used by bicyclists or inline skaters or which serve as alternate 

transportation routes for sidewalks 

should be smooth with no abrupt 

changes in level. 

Section T303.7 requires passing space 

where the clear tread width of the trail 

is less than 60 inches. Passing space is 

required at intervals of 1,000 feet 

maximum. Either a T-shape or a turning 

circle is permitted. An advisory states 

that the passing space may be located to 

one side of the trail. An exception is 

permitted from this provision where 

passing space cannot be provided 

because at least one of the four 

conditions in T302 exists. 

The committee negotiated various 

intervals for passing space, ranging from 

200 feet to no requirement. Those 

favoring longer intervals or no 

requirement explained that the outdoor 


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environment often allows users to move 

off the trail tread without involving trail 

construction (as opposed to being 

restricted by walls within a building). 

There was concern about having an 

unrealistic construction requirement in 

a natural setting, and concern that 

requiring a constructed passing space at 

more frequent intervals may be 

unnecessary where few users are on a 

trail at the same time. An advisory is 

added recommending that trails 

expected to have high use and trails 

with long sections where it is not 

possible to move off the trailhead (e.g., 

boardwalks in a wetland) should 

consider more frequent passing spaces, 

especially close to the trailhead. 

Section T303.8 addresses both the 

cross slope and the running slope of a 

trail. This provision was the result of 

significant compromise among 

committee members. Exception 1 

addresses open drainage structures. For 

open drainage structures, a running 

slope of 14 percent is permitted for 5 

feet maximum with a cross slope of 1:20 

maximum. Cross slope is permitted to 

be 1:10 at the bottom of the open drain, 

where the clear tread width is 42 inches 

minimum. Exception 2 exempts trails 

from T303.8 where one or more of the 

conditions of T302 exist. 

Section T303.8.1 requires that the 

maximum cross slope of trail segments 

not exceed 1:20. Committee members 

recognized that cross slopes, or the sideto-side slope of a trail, can be difficult 

to traverse. At the same time, trails need 

to be designed to provide sufficient 

drainage to prevent ponding and water 

damage to the trail. Non-paved surfaces 

generally require more than a minimum 

of 1:50 cross slope. 

Section T303.8.2 addresses the 

maximum running slope of trail 

segments. Section T303.8.2 permits no 

more than 30 percent of the total trail 

length to exceed a 1:12 slope. The 

committee debated various slope ratios 

for this provision. Committee members 

advocating steeper slopes were 

concerned that requiring unrealistic 

slopes in natural areas could 

significantly alter the natural terrain. 

Members advocating less slopes were 

concerned that steeper slopes would not 

be accessible, and could be a potential 

safety hazard. 

This section requires that trails 

comply with one or more of four 

separate provisions. Designers may 

choose which provision to apply. 

Section T303.8.2.1 permits a running 

slope at 1:20 or less for any distance. 

Section T303.8.2.2 permits a running 

slope of 1:12 maximum for 200 feet 

maximum. Resting intervals must be 

provided at distances no greater than 

200 feet apart. Section T303.8.2.3 

permits the running slope to be 1:10 

maximum for 30 feet maximum. Resting 

intervals must be provided at distances 

no greater than 30 feet apart. Section 

T303.8.2.4 permits the running slope to 

be 1:8 maximum for 10 feet maximum. 

Resting intervals must be provided at 

distances no greater than 10 feet apart. 

Because the terrain in outdoor 

environments is often steep, the 

committee realized that applying slope 

and ramp requirements was not feasible. 

The proposed running slopes and 

maximum distances represent a 

compromise and balances accessibility 

with the constraints imposed by natural 

topography. 

Question 19: Section T303.8 permits 

departure from the technical provisions 

for cross slope with open drainage 

structures. A cross slope up to 10 

percent is permitted at the bottom of the 

open drain where the clear tread width 

is 42 inches minimum. Are open 

drainage structures the only drainage 

structures where cross slopes up to 10 

percent should be permitted? If not, 

what other areas should be identified? 

The committee believed that 

handrails should not be required on 

trails, since handrails are impractical in 

this environment. In addition, steeper 

grades on trails are usually contiguous 

with the surrounding terrain rather than 

elevated above it as with a ramp to a 

building. Instead, the committee limited 

the length of steep portions of trail 

segments and required resting intervals. 

Section T303.9 requires resting 

intervals to be 60 inches in length to 

accommodate wheelchair users and at 

least as wide as the widest portion of 

the trail segment leading to the resting 

interval. The slope of the resting 

interval must not exceed 1:20 in any 

direction. An advisory recommends that 

the resting interval may be located to 

one side of the trail to allow other users 

to pass. An exception exempts trails 

from this technical provision where one 

of the conditions in T302 exists. 

Section T303.10 does not require edge 

protection on accessible trails. However, 

where edge protection is provided, the 

height must be a minimum of 3 inches. 

Natural trail surfaces are likely to have 

variations in the trail surface, and a 2 

inch edge protection may not be obvious 

or detectable in the outdoor 

environment. In the outdoor 

environment, many people with limited 

vision who use canes will search higher 

than in an indoor environment to 

distinguish between the edge and 

variations within the trail. 

T304 Outdoor Recreation Access 

Routes 

Section T304.2 requires the surface of 

an outdoor recreation access route to be 

firm and stable. This is consistent with 

the surface provision proposed for trails 

and other outdoor elements. 

Section T304.3 requires the clear 

tread width of the outdoor recreation 

access route to be 36 inches minimum. 

An exception permits the width to be 

the minimum necessary or 32 inches for 

a distance of 24 inches where one or 

more of the conditions in T302 exist. 

Section T304.4 addresses openings 

and does not permit passage of a 1⁄2 inch 

diameter sphere. Elongated openings 

must be placed so that the long 

dimension is perpendicular or diagonal 

to the dominant direction of travel. An 

exception permits the openings to run 

parallel so long as the opening does not 

permit passage of 1⁄4 inch diameter 

sphere. 

Section T304.5 requires that tread 

obstacles not exceed 1 inch high 

maximum. An exception permits a 2 

inch high obstacle where it is beveled 

and where at least one of the conditions 

in T302 applies. Tread obstacles may 

occur where surface materials changes 

such as asphalt surfaces leading up to a 

concrete slab. 

Section T304.6 requires passing space 

where the clear width of the outdoor 

recreation access route is less than 60 

inches. Passing space is required at 

intervals of 200 feet maximum. 

Committee members determined that 

outdoor recreation access routes were 

more like an indoor accessible route 

than a trail. The passing space must be 

either a 60 inch by 60 inch space or an 

intersection of two walking surfaces 

which provide a T-shaped space 

complying with T402.1.2, provided that 

the arms and stem of the T-shaped space 

extend at least 48 inches beyond the 

intersection. An exception permits the 

passing spaces to be at intervals not to 

exceed 300 feet. This was added to 

address settings where it may not be 

possible to provide passing space within 

a 200 foot minimum interval, such as 

environmentally sensitive areas. 

Section T304.7.1 addresses the cross 

slope of an outdoor recreation access 

route and permits a 1:33 maximum 

cross slope. An exception permits a 1:20 

cross slope where necessary to ensure 

proper drainage. Natural or naturally 

appearing surfaces often require greater 

than 1:50 cross slopes to ensure proper 

drainage. Committee members agreed 

that water ponding on an outdoor 

recreation access route may make the 

route inaccessible; therefore, a greater 

cross slope is proposed. 


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Section T304.7.2 addresses running 

slope. Designers have a choice of 

applying one or more of the technical 

provisions in this section. Section 

T304.7.2.1 permits the running slope to 

be 1:20 or less for any distance. Section 

T304.7.2.2 permits the running slope to 

be 1:12 maximum for 50 feet maximum. 

Resting intervals must be provided at 

distances no greater than 50 feet apart. 

Section T304.7.2.3 permits the running 

slope to be 1:10 maximum for 30 feet 

maximum. Resting intervals must be 

provided at distances no greater than 30 

feet apart. 

Question 20: The committee was 

unable to decide whether there should 

be exceptions from the technical 

provisions for outdoor recreation access 

routes based on the conditions in T302. 

Currently, departures from the technical 

provisions are permitted for specific 

elements, (e.g., picnic tables, camp sites) 

but not for the outdoor recreation access 

routes that connect those elements. 

Should exceptions be permitted for 

specific elements on the outdoor 

recreation access routes leading to those 

elements? 

Question 21: The committee also 

discussed potential exceptions from the 

provisions for slope on an outdoor 

recreation access route, unrelated to 

whether the elements themselves 

complied with the technical provisions. 

The committee considered two options. 

One option provided a maximum for the 

total length of the outdoor recreation 

access route that could exceed a 1:12 

slope. The committee considered that 

either 10 percent or 15 percent of the 

total length of the outdoor recreation 

access route could exceed a 1:12 slope. 

The second option was to apply the 

conditions in T302 to the technical 

provisions for the slope of an outdoor 

recreation access route. Comment is 

requested on this issue. 

Section T304.8 requires resting 

intervals to be 60 inches minimum in 

length and have a width at least as wide 

as the route connecting it. The slope 

must not exceed 1:33 in any direction. 

Where the surface conditions require 

slopes greater than 1:33 for proper 

drainage, a 1:20 slope is permitted. 

Section T304.9 requires edge 

protection, where provided, to be 3 

inches minimum in height. This is 

consistent with the proposed provision 

for trails. 

T305 Beach Access Routes 

Section T305.2 requires the surface of 

the required beach access route to be 

firm and stable. Given the existence of 

loose material natural to a beach 

environment such as sand, algae, and 

barnacles, the committee decided that 

slip resistance is not an appropriate 

requirement for a beach access route. 

This is consistent with the provisions 

for other outdoor routes. Where a 

temporary route is provided, it must 

also be firm and stable. 

Section T305.3 requires that a beach 

access route extend to the high tide 

level, mean river bed level, or the 

normal recreation water level. The 

committee believed that different lines 

of demarcation would vary depending 

upon the location of the beach. The 

committee selected the high tide level 

for coastal beach, the mean river bed 

level for river beaches, and the normal 

recreation water level for lakes and 

reservoirs. Beach access to the water 

will vary considerably between 

geographic locations because the tidal 

difference between high and low tides 

varies from place to place. For example, 

a beach in Alaska may experience tidal 

differences of tens or even hundreds of 

feet; beaches in Florida will have much 

smaller differences between low and 

high tides. The high tide mark is a 

reasonable location to terminate 

permanent structures as built facilities; 

below this point it is much more likely 

to wash out. The mean river bed level 

and the normal recreation water level 

are comparable for rivers and lakes, 

respectively. 

Question 22: Comment is sought on 

the appropriateness of these markers 

and the ability to determine those levels 

at most beaches. 

Question 23: The committee did not 

require a beach access route to extend 

beyond the high tide level, mean river 

bed level, or normal recreation water 

level. Comment is sought on what 

technical specifications should be 

required, if any, if an entity decides to 

provide the route into the water? Should 

the technical provisions for sloped entry 

into pools be applied in these cases? 

Section T305.4 requires the clear 

tread width of the beach access route to 

be 36 inches minimum. This 

requirement is consistent with the 

proposed technical requirement for the 

clear tread width of trails and outdoor 

recreation access routes. Unlike other 

requirements for the clear width of trails 

and outdoor recreation access routes, no 

reduction in width is permitted. Since 

the beach access route will most likely 

be adjacent to sand, maintaining the 36 

inch width is critical to avoid being 

caught off the path on a nontraversable 

sandy surface. The need for additional 

space for passing and resting has been 

included in other provisions. 

Section T305.5 requires openings in 

the surfaces of the beach access route to 

be of a size that does not permit passage 

of a 1⁄2 inch diameter sphere. Elongated 

openings must be placed so that the 

long dimension is perpendicular or 

diagonal to the dominant direction of 

travel. This is consistent with the 

Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility 

Guidelines and the proposed technical 

provisions for outdoor recreation access 

routes. An exception permits the 

elongated openings to run parallel to the 

dominant direction of travel where the 

opening does not permit passage of a 1⁄4

inch sphere. 

Section T305.6 limits the obstacles in 

the beach access route to be 1 inch high 

maximum. This departs from the 

Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility 

Guidelines but is consistent with the 

proposed technical requirements for 

tread obstacles for an outdoor recreation 

access route and is necessary due to the 

uniqueness of the outdoor environment. 

Section T305.7 requires passing 

space. Where the clear width of the 

beach access route is less than 60 

inches, passing space must be provided 

at intervals of 200 feet. Passing space 

shall be either a 60 inch by 60 inch 

minimum space or an intersection of 

two walking surfaces which provides a 

T-shaped space complying with 

T402.1.2, provided that the arms and 

stem of the T-shaped space extend at 

least 48 inches beyond the intersection. 

This is consistent with the technical 

provisions for passing spaces on an 

outdoor recreation access route. 

Section T305.8 requires a turning 

space or resting space at the end of the 

beach access route or at the high tide 

level, mean river bed level, or normal 

recreation water level. Turning space 

must not overlap the beach access route 

and must be either a 60 inch minimum 

by 60 inch minimum space, or an 

intersection of two walking surfaces 

which provide a T-shaped space 

complying with T402.1.2 provided that 

the arms and stem of the T-shaped space 

extend at least 48 inches beyond the 

intersection. 

A resting or turning space allows a 

person with a disability to be out of the 

route of travel, to leave their wheelchair 

while transferring into a beach terrain 

vehicle, or simply to wait in a place 

outside the flow of traffic. The location 

of this resting or turning space should 

be in an area which is dry. If the route 

extends further than the minimum 

distance required, the resting or turning 

space may be placed at the end of the 

beach access route, although the 

location may not always remain dry. 

Section T305.9 addresses the cross 

slope and running slope of beach access 

routes. Section T305.9.1 requires the 

maximum cross slope of a beach access 

route to not exceed 1:33. An exception 

permits cross slopes of 1:20 maximum 


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for drainage. This is consistent with the 

proposed technical requirements for 

cross slope of an outdoor recreation 

access route and is necessary for 

drainage in the outdoor environment. 

Section T305.9.2 addresses running 

slope. Designers have a choice of 

applying one or more of the technical 

provisions in this section. Section 

T305.9.2.1 permits running slope to be 

1:20 or less for any distance. Section 

T305.9.2.2 permits the running slope to 

be 1:12 maximum for 50 feet maximum. 

Resting intervals must be provided at 

distances no greater than 50 feet apart. 

Section T305.9.2.3 permits the running 

slope to be 1:10 maximum for 30 feet 

maximum. Resting intervals must be 

provided at distances no greater than 30 

feet apart. The rationale for requiring a 

resting interval is the same as for trails 

or outdoor recreation access routes. The 

running slope provisions are the same 

as those for an outdoor recreation access 

route. 

Section T305.10 requires edge 

protection where drop-offs from the 

beach access route to the beach are 6 

inches or higher. The edge protection 

includes curbs, walls, or projecting 

surfaces that prevent people from falling 

off the route. Edge protection must be a 

minimum of 2 inches high. If the dropoff is greater than 1 inch, but less than 

6 inches, then the edge must be beveled. 

While a raised edge may be considered 

a tripping hazard in some instances, the 

committee recognized that in some 

locations, an elevated route such as that 

created by a boardwalk might 

necessitate a raised edge for safety. 

Where these locations occur, the 

elevation of the route is already an 

impediment to the perpendicular traffic 

and the addition of edge protection 

would not create any more of a tripping 

hazard than that already created by the 

elevated route itself. Therefore, the 

committee recommended that those 

elevated routes, defined as 6 inches or 

more above the beach surface, have a 

requirement for edge protection 

equivalent to the edge protection 

requirement in the Architectural 

Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines for 

ramps. If the height of the route is 

greater than 1 inch but less than 6 

inches, the committee felt that edge 

protection was not required, although 

the edge should be beveled. If the height 

of the route is 1 inch or less, then there 

is no requirement for beveling, as an 

inch or less elevation is virtually a flat 

route and is reasonable to expect in a 

beach environment given the shifting of 

sand. 

T306 Picnic Tables 

Section T306.2 addresses the 

technical provisions for wheelchair 

spaces. Each wheelchair space must 

provide knee space of at least 30 inches 

wide, 19 inches deep, and 27 inches 

from the ground or floor to the bottom 

of the table top. This provision is 

different from the Architectural Barriers 

Act Accessibility Guidelines in that it 

also requires a toe clearance of 9 inches 

above the ground or floor extending for 

a total depth of 24 inches. This is an 

additional 5 inches minimum beyond 

the 19-inch knee space depth. This 

ensures that adequate toe clearance is 

provided at tables that have a solid leg 

at each end (rather than an A-shape 

frame or individual legs). A 19-inch 

deep space at the end of a solid leg table 

would not allow a person using a 

wheelchair to be sufficiently close to the 

table. 

Section T306.3 addresses table 

clearance. This provision requires a 36- 

inch wide minimum clear floor or 

ground space surrounding the usable 

portions of a table, measured from the 

back edge of the seat, or the back edge 

of the table if no seat is provided. 

Tables placed in buildings are 

generally expected to have ample space 

for moving around. This is not always 

the case where picnic tables are located 

in an outdoor environment. For that 

reason, the committee recommended a 

minimum clear floor or ground space 

that would provide maneuvering room 

beyond the accessible seating space to 

all usable portions of a table to allow for 

movement around the table. 

Section T306.4 addresses clear spaces. 

Section T306.4.1 requires the surface of 

the clear floor or ground space and the 

wheelchair space to be firm and stable. 

Slip resistance is not required because 

of the tree leaves and needles, duff 

(partly decayed organic material on the 

forest floor), mud, snow, and ice that 

often cover outdoor areas. Exception 1 

permits an exception from this 

requirement where at least one of the 

conditions of T302 applies. 

Section T306.4.2 requires slopes of 

the required clear floor or ground spaces 

not to exceed 1:50 in any direction. 

Exceptions are provided to address the 

unique aspects of the outdoor 

environment. Natural and naturalappearing surfaces are often used in 

picnic areas. A 1:50 slope on these 

surfaces may not be adequate to ensure 

proper drainage. In these cases, 

exception 1 allows the slope in any 

direction to be 1:33 maximum. 

Exception 2 states that this provision 

does not have to be met where at least 

one of the conditions in section T302 

applies. 

T307 Fire Rings 

Section T307.2 requires that a clear 

floor or ground space extending a 

minimum of 48 inches deep by 48 

inches wide be provided at all usable 

portions of a fire ring. This clear floor 

or ground space exceeds what is 

generally required in the Architectural 

Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines to 

allow both a forward and parallel 

approach and to provide more space to 

move away from the heat. Exception 1 

permits the clear floor or ground space 

to be reduced to no less than 36 inches 

deep by 36 inches wide when one of the 

conditions in T302 exists. A clear floor 

or ground space of less than 36 inches 

by 36 inches at accessible fire rings 

could pose a safety hazard to users. As 

a result, no exception is provided to 

further reduce the clear floor or ground 

space to less than 36 inches by 36 

inches. 

The surface and slope requirements of 

the clear spaces required by T307.2 

must comply with T306.4. Many of the 

elements included in this rule share the 

same requirements for the surface and 

slope of clear spaces. A discussion 

regarding this requirement is included 

in the preamble discussion for T306.4. 

Section T307.3 requires the fire 

surface height to be 9 inches minimum 

above the ground or floor and is 

inconsistent with the Architectural 

Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines 

specifications for a low side reach 

which is 15 inches. 

Section T307.4 addresses raised edges 

around fire rings. Where a raised edge 

or curb is provided around a fire ring, 

this provision would require that the 

combined reach over the edge or curb 

and down to the fire building surface 

must be 24 inches maximum. 

T308 Cooking Surfaces, Grills, and 

Pedestal Grills 

The surface and slope requirements of 

the clear spaces required by T308.2 

must comply with T306.4. Many of the 

elements included in this rule share the 

same requirements for the surface and 

slope of clear spaces. A discussion 

regarding this requirement is included 

in the preamble discussion for T306.4. 

Section T308.3 requires accessible 

cooking surfaces to be installed between 

15 inches and 34 inches above the 

ground or floor. This provides a 

comfortable reach range for cooking. 

Section T308.4 requires operating 

controls and mechanisms to comply 

with T407. 


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T309 Fixed Trash and Recycling 

Containers 

The surface and slope requirements of 

the clear spaces required by T309.2 

must comply with T306.4. Many of the 

elements included in this rule share the 

same requirements for the surface and 

slope of clear spaces. A discussion 

regarding this requirement is included 

in the preamble discussion for T306.4. 

Section T309.3 requires operating 

controls for the containers to comply 

with T407.2 and T407.3. However, an 

exemption from this requirement is 

provided where the container has a 

hinged, sliding, or other cover and is 

situated where it is subject to large 

animal intrusion, thus dictating animalresistant controls. Current designs for 

controls and operating mechanisms 

preclude providing secure storage of 

trash or recycled material from large 

animals, and still meet the reach and 

operating force requirements of T407.3. 

T310 Wood Stoves and Fireplaces 

The surface and slope requirements of 

the clear spaces required by T310.2 

must comply with T306.4. Many of the 

elements included in this rule share the 

same requirements for the surface and 

slope of clear spaces. A discussion 

regarding this requirement is included 

in the preamble discussion for T306.4. 

Section T310.2 requires that a clear 

floor or ground space 48 inches deep 

minimum and 48 inches wide minimum 

be provided from all usable portions of 

the wood stove or fireplace. This is 

consistent with space requirements for 

other elements in outdoor developed 

facilities, such as fire rings and grills. 

The 48 inch requirement allows for a 

front and side approach. The committee 

agreed that the extra space required 

beyond 30 inches by 48 inches is 

warranted in this case where safety is 

paramount. An exception is provided to 

reduce this requirement to 36 inches 

minimum depth where one or more of 

the conditions in section T302 exist. 

Section T310.3 requires the controls 

for operation of wood stoves and 

fireplaces to comply with T407. 

Question 24: Are there controls and 

operating mechanisms available for 

fireplaces that will meet the 

requirements of T407? If not, what 

modifications will allow for most 

operating mechanisms of woodstoves 

and fireplaces to meet this provision? 

T311 Overlooks and Viewing Areas 

Section T311.2 requires at least one 

turning space with a circular or Tshaped space complying T402. The 

surface and slope requirements of the 

turning spaces required by T311.2 must 

comply with T306.4. Many of the 

elements included in this rule share the 

same requirements for the surface and 

slope of clear spaces. A discussion 

regarding this requirement is included 

in the preamble discussion for T306.4. 

Section T311.3 requires that each 

location providing a viewing 

opportunity to one or more distinct 

points of interest must have at least one 

unrestricted viewing area for each 

viewing opportunity. The committee felt 

that the attraction of a viewing area is 

to bring persons to a place where they 

can enjoy all the aspects of the site and 

persons with disabilities should have 

the opportunity to experience the 

attraction. The committee determined 

that an arc extending from 32 inches 

minimum above the level surface of the 

viewing area to 51 inches maximum 

above the surface would be sufficient to 

allow an unobstructed view. Often the 

overlook or the viewing area has an 

adjacent drop-off that would present a 

hazard to the user of the area. Safety 

barriers are often installed (such as a 

guardrail, railing, or wall) to protect the 

visitor from the edge and may block the 

view. This provision requires an 

unobstructed view to the distinct point 

of interest. There must be a means by 

which a field of view in the described 

arc is obtained. Various designs or 

recommendations to manage this are 

provided in the advisory, and include 

see-through panels in walls or elevated 

platforms away from the guarded edge. 

A periscope complying with T212.1 is 

also an option for a view over a barrier. 

This provision does not apply where 

one of the conditions in T302 exists. 

T312 Telescopes and Periscopes 

Section T312.2 requires the surface 

conditions of the clear floor or ground 

space adjacent to the telescope or 

periscope to be firm and stable, and 

comply with the clear space 

requirement of T403. In the interest of 

safety and the ability to use the 

elements in an unchanging and 

balanced condition, a dependable 

surface condition is a necessity. 

Section T312.2 also requires the slope 

of the required clear floor or ground 

space to not exceed 1:50 in any 

direction, unless the surface condition 

is such that drainage is a problem. 

Where drainage is of concern, a 1:33 

maximum slope is permitted. Drainage 

from the area adjacent to the elements 

is essential to preserve the integrity of 

the surface condition and to provide a 

comfortable location to use the 

elements. 

Section T312.3 requires the controls 

and operating mechanisms of telescopes 

and periscopes to comply with T407. 

Section T312.4 requires the eye piece 

to be usable from a seated position so 

that each distinct point of interest is 

viewable. This will provide the widest 

range of viewing opportunities, not only 

for seated individuals but also for 

children. An advisory provides 

suggestions on how to accomplish this. 

Options include an adjustable scope 

mount, a swivel seat or installing an 

element that would allow for a high/low 

option similar to what is offered for 

water fountains. The requirement for 

use from the seated position is 

necessary for people using wheelchairs 

and other mobility devices. The 

committee recognized that this may also 

benefit children or individuals of short 

stature. 

T313 Fixed Benches 

Section T313.2 requires the surface 

and slope requirements of the clear 

spaces to comply with T306.4. Many of 

the elements included in this rule share 

the same requirements for the surface 

and slope of clear spaces. A discussion 

regarding this requirement is included 

in the preamble discussion for T306.4. 

Section T313.2 also requires that clear 

spaces be located at one end of the 

accessible bench, and not overlap other 

clear floor or ground space 

requirements. The committee debated 

the location of the clear floor or ground 

space, recognizing that many different 

configurations could exist. The 

requirement of a clear floor or ground 

space at one end without intruding into 

other clear floor or ground spaces 

provides users with the same 

perspective as the occupant of the 

bench, no matter which direction the 

bench is facing and avoids obstructing 

the outdoor recreation access route. 

Shoulder-to-shoulder alignment of the 

clear floor or ground space enhances the 

opportunity for and ease of interaction 

or conversation with someone seated on 

the bench. 

Section T313.3 requires that the top of 

the seat surface be between 17 inches 

and 19 inches above the ground or floor 

space to facilitate transfer. This 

provision is consistent with the 

Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility 

Guidelines. 

Section T313.4 addresses back 

support. Back support is required on 

accessible benches and must extend the 

full length of the bench. 

Section T313.5 addresses armrests. 

Where required by T213.2, at least one 

armrest is required on a single bench. 

Section T213.2.2 requires armrests 

where multiple benches are provided. 

All armrests must comply with T411.8. 

This will facilitate transfer to the bench 


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and provide support to maneuver to or 

from the bench seat. 

T314 Utility Sinks 

Section T314.2 requires a clear floor 

or ground space complying with T403.1 

to be provided at the sink for adequate 

reach and turning space. Section T314.2 

requires that the clear floor or ground 

space not have a slope greater than 1:50. 

An exception permits the slope of the 

clear floor or ground space to be 1:33 

maximum to provide proper drainage. 

Section T314.2 also requires that the 

surface of the clear floor space be firm 

and stable. 

Section T314.3 requires the height of 

the counter or rim to be 34 inches 

maximum above the floor or ground 

surface. 

Section T314.4 requires the depth of 

the bowl to be 15 inches minimum 

above the floor or ground surface. The 

committee recognized that there may be 

some difficulty in providing a deep 

enough sink to accomplish the purposes 

of cleaning larger pots or pans given 

current reach range requirements. 

However, the committee believed that 

adhering to the established reach ranges 

was important. 

Section T314.5 requires operable parts 

of the sink to comply with T407. 

T315 Mobility Device Storage 

Facilities 

Section T315.2 requires the surface 

and slope requirements of the clear 

spaces to comply with T306.4. Many of 

the elements included in this rule share 

the same requirements for the surface 

and slope of clear spaces. A discussion 

regarding this requirement is included 

in the preamble discussion for T306.4. 

Section T315.3 requires that the size 

of the storage space be 38 inches 

minimum in height, 28 inches 

minimum in width and 40 inches 

minimum in length. These dimensions 

are based on the space needed for a 

collapsed standard adult wheelchair. 

The committee agreed that a wheelchair 

would be the most commonly occurring 

device which would require storage and 

based the requirements accordingly. 

Section T315.4 requires controls and 

operating mechanisms for accessible 

mobility storage facilities to comply 

with T407. 

T316 Pit Toilets 

Section T316.2 requires the surface 

and slope requirements of the clear 

spaces to comply with T306.4. Many of 

the elements included in this rule share 

the same requirements for the surface 

and slope of clear spaces. A discussion 

regarding this requirement is included 

in the preamble discussion for T306.4. 

Section T316.2 also requires 

compliance T409. Where one of the 

conditions in T302 applies, exception 1 

permits the size of the clear floor or 

ground space to be reduced to 48 inches 

by 48 inches. Where a 48 inch by 48 

inch clear floor or ground space cannot 

be provided because at least one of the 

conditions of T302 applies, exception 2 

does not require compliance with 

T316.2. 

Section T316.3 requires the height of 

the pit toilet seat to comply with 

T409.4. No exceptions for the outdoor 

environment were necessary. 

Section T316.4 requires grab bars 

complying with T411 only where the pit 

toilets are provided with walls. Since 

many pit toilets consist of a riser placed 

on the ground, the committee agreed 

that the requirement for grab bars 

should only be triggered if a structure 

surrounds the riser. 

T317 Utilities 

Section T317.2 requires the slopes of 

clear floor or ground spaces at utilities 

to have a 1:50 maximum slope in any 

direction. Where surface conditions 

require a slope greater than 1:50 for 

proper drainage, an exception permits a 

1:33 maximum slope. Section T317.2 

also requires the surface of the clear 

floor or ground space to be firm and 

stable. 

Section T317.3 requires fixed water 

spouts to be located 28 inches minimum 

to 36 inches maximum above the 

ground or floor surface and to be 

centered at the edge of a 60 inch 

minimum by 60 inch minimum clear 

floor or ground space. 

Section 317.4 requires controls and 

operating mechanisms associated with 

utilities to comply with T407. Exception 

1 does not apply T407 to sewage 

hookups. Exception 2 exempts hand 

pumps from T407.3. The rationale for 

not requiring sewer hookups to meet 

height and reach range provisions is 

based on their ground level location 

necessary for gravity drainage. Most are 

foot drains or have a small handle at the 

ground level to open the connection to 

the system. 

T318 Camping Facilities 

Section T318.2 addresses accessible 

camping space parking. Section 

T318.2.1 requires accessible recreational 

camping vehicle or trailer camping 

spaces to be 20 feet minimum in width. 

This was determined to be necessary to 

accommodate existing equipment 

manufactured by the recreational 

camping vehicle industry and lifts 

required to gain access out of and into 

this equipment. The extra width 

associated with this parking space is 

necessary to provide 3 feet of space on 

the driver’s side for access to utilities. 

The parking space is 9 feet to allow for 

vehicle width and an 8 foot space on the 

passenger side for deployment of a lift 

with room to exit conveniently. An 

exception permits one space to be 16 

feet minimum in width, where only two 

accessible parking spaces are required. 

The exception allows a smaller parking 

pad (van size) for the second accessible 

campsite. This deviation will limit the 

impact on the environment and the 

user’s experience. 

Section T318.2.2 addresses tent 

camping spaces and camp shelter 

spaces. Where parking is provided, a 

tent camping and camp shelter parking 

space 16 feet wide is required and 

follows the Architectural Barriers Act 

Accessibility Guidelines for van 

accessible parking spaces which would 

accommodate the maximum size vehicle 

used for this type of campsite. A ‘‘camp 

shelter’’ also includes cabin 

accommodations. 

Section T318.2.3 requires recreation 

camping vehicle and trailer parking 

spaces located in general use parking 

areas to be 12 feet minimum wide and 

to have an adjacent access aisle of 8 feet 

extending the full length of the parking 

space. The surface of the parking space 

and access aisle must be firm and stable. 

Section T318.2.4 requires that the 

slope of an accessible parking space not 

exceed 1:50 in any direction. Where 

surface conditions require a greater 

slope for proper drainage, an exception 

permits a 1:33 maximum slope. 

Section T318.3 addresses tent pads 

and tent platforms. Section T318.3.1 

addresses clear space. A 48 inch clear 

space around the tent pad is required to 

allow both side and front approach 

access to assembling equipment. An 

exception allows the clear space to be 

reduced to 36 inches where at least one 

of the conditions in T302 applies. 

Section T318.3.2 requires the tent pad 

surface to be firm and stable, consistent 

with other provisions in Chapters T2 

and T3. An exception is permitted 

where at least one of the four conditions 

specified in T302 exist. 

Section T318.3.3 requires that the 

slope of the tent pad or platform not 

exceed 1:50 in any direction. An 

exception permits a 1:33 maximum 

slope where necessary for proper 

drainage. 

Section T318.3.4 requires edge 

protection to be 3 inches minimum 

where a raised tent platform is 

provided. The 3 inch minimum is 

necessary to ensure visibility and to 

prevent wheelchairs and other mobility 

devices from rolling off the raised 

platform. 


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Section T318.3.5 addresses the 

connection where a tent platform is 

raised above grade to provide a level 

surface to pitch a tent. Access is 

provided in a similar fashion to 

playground equipment by a transfer 

system including a platform and transfer 

steps. The need for mobility equipment 

on the platform surface was not deemed 

to be necessary for use, as the surface 

area is the same size as the tent. 

T319 Warming Huts 

Section T319.1 requires warming huts 

to provide a turning space that complies 

with T402 and if a door is provided that 

it comply with T408. 

T320 Outdoor Rinsing Showers 

Section T320.2 addresses the 

requirement for clear space. A clear 

space which would permit a front or 

parallel approach is necessary in order 

to make the shower usable. For most 

elements, such as a telephone or 

drinking fountain, a 30 inch by 48 inch 

clear floor space would suffice. 

Committee members agreed that only 

providing a front approach without a 5 

foot turnaround space would not allow 

someone in a wheelchair to turn 360 

degrees to rinse off under all angles of 

the water. For ease and convenience of 

use for people using wheelchairs, the 

full turnaround space must be provided. 

Section T320.2 also addresses the 

requirement for slope. The committee 

recommended that the slope of the clear 

space not exceed 1:33 in all directions. 

This is consistent with 

recommendations by the committee for 

other outdoor elements where drainage 

is a concern. Many park maintenance 

managers indicated that a 1:20 slope is 

required for the floors of outdoor 

showers to ensure proper drainage. The 

committee believed that the increase to 

1:33 would suffice and allow for a 

reasonable tolerance. 

Section T320.3 addresses the 

requirements for grab bars. Grab bars are 

typically not found in outdoor showers, 

primarily because the majority of the 

showers are free-standing poles and 

there is no place to mount a grab bar 

which conforms to the Architectural 

Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines. 

Nonetheless, the committee believed 

that a grab bar was essential for stability 

in a wet environment, but not for 

transfer. The committee also 

recommended providing three options 

for the grab bar: vertical, circular (if the 

shower is on a pole), and horizontal (if 

the shower is on a wall). If a vertical 

grab bar is chosen it would be permitted 

only on a post. The committee 

recommended that it be provided 33 

inches above the floor, the lowest height 

currently for a grab bar, and extend the 

length of the pole within 3 inches below 

the shower head. If a circular grab bar 

is chosen it would also be permitted 

only on a post. This type of grab bar 

would resemble a spoked wheel 

mounted perpendicular to the post. The 

committee recommended that the grab 

bar be provided 33 to 36 inches above 

the floor, consistent with a horizontal 

grab bar in an indoor shower. If a 

horizontal grab bar is chosen, the 

committee recommended a 33 to 36 

inch mounting height, consistent with 

the mounting height for horizontal grab 

bars in indoor showers. 

Section T320.4 addresses the 

requirements for controls. In order for 

controls to be usable, they must be 

within reach ranges and be operable. 

The committee recommended that 

controls comply with T407. Many 

outdoor showers have a twist-type knob 

because those controls are less subject to 

vandalism. Although vandalism is a 

legitimate concern in outdoor settings, 

the committee agreed that accessible 

controls could be vandal-proofed, 

particularly if push controls are used. 

Therefore, the committee recommended 

that controls and operating mechanism 

comply with T407. If self-closing 

controls are used, the controls shall 

remain open for at least 10 seconds, the 

minimum time needed for rinsing. 

Section T320.5 addresses the 

requirements for a low outdoor rinsing 

shower spray head. The appropriate 

height for a low rinsing shower is taken 

from the current requirements for 

indoor showers. In order to provide 

flexibility, rather than an absolute 

mounting height, the committee 

recommended a range of 48 to 54 

inches. A hand-held shower spray unit 

is permitted, although the committee 

realized that this would be an 

infrequent choice in an outdoor 

environment due to vandalism 

concerns. 

Section T320.6 addresses the 

requirement for the height of a high 

outdoor rinsing shower spray head. The 

height of the shower head must be a 

minimum of 72 inches above the floor 

or ground. A hand-held shower spray is 

permitted. 

The committee also discussed shower 

seats. Indoor showers which are 

designated as accessible require a seat. 

This requirement may not be reasonable 

for all outdoor showers. An adjacent 

bench might be conveniently located for 

the placement of items, but not in 

conjunction with showering itself. With 

an outdoor pole shower, there is no 

adjacent wall on which to mount a folddown seat. In an outdoor shower 

mounted to a wall, a fold-down bench 

would likely be vandalized. Therefore, 

the committee recommended that there 

be no requirement for a shower seat in 

an outdoor rinsing shower. 

T321 Signs 

Section T321.2 requires trails or trail 

segments that comply with T303 to 

provide a sign at the trail head and all 

designated access points. The sign must 

display a symbol designating that the 

trail or trail segment is accessible and 

shall include the total distance of the 

accessible trail or segment and the 

location of the first point where 

exceptions from the technical provision 

in T303 apply. 

An example of a sign to be used at 

accessible trails is included in an 

advisory note. Signs identifying 

accessible trail segments must include 

the total distance of the accessible 

segment and the location of the first 

point of departure from the technical 

provisions. 

Signs for trails were extensively 

debated by the committee. While certain 

trail information is critical for users, 

there was concern about requiring too 

many signs with too much information. 

There were also concerns that the 

requirement may be too onerous in 

terms of providing detailed information 

about trail characteristics. As a 

compromise, the committee agreed to 

include a requirement for a symbol to 

identify those trails that are accessible. 

Additionally, where the symbol is used 

to identify accessible trail segments, the 

total distance of the accessible trail 

segment to the location of the first point 

of departure from the technical 

provision must be provided. 

An extensive advisory note has been 

provided on the issue of trail 

information. The advisory note includes 

recommendations for the types of 

information which should be provided 

and examples of different formats for 

providing the information. Where trails 

are provided and conditions have 

required departure from some of the 

technical provisions, it is recommended 

that more detailed signs be provided to 

help users make informed decisions 

about trail use. 

Question 25: Some examples of 

proposed signs designating accessible 

trails are included in an advisory note. 

The committee did not reach a 

consensus on a particular sign. 

Comment is sought on these signs and 

other options. The proposed guidelines 

for trails require a sign on trails that 

meet the provisions and exceptions of 

T303. 

Section T321.3 requires camping 

spaces that comply with T318 to be 


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identified by the International Symbol 

of Accessibility complying with T412.2. 

T322 Protruding Objects 

Section T322.1 requires protruding 

objects on trails, outdoor recreation 

access routes, and beach access routes to 

comply with T405. Protruding objects 

on trails must have 80 inches of vertical 

clearance. An exception permits a 

reduction in the 80 inch vertical 

clearance provided that a barrier is 

provided to warn persons with visual 

impairments. This allows a trail to pass 

through narrow, winding corridors, 

under ledges or through caves. This 

provision represents a compromise 

reached by committee members. Some 

committee members saw the need for a 

departure from the minimum 80 inches 

overhead clearance, while others felt 

that permitting this could present 

barriers to people with visual 

impairments. 

Question 26: The committee could not 

reach consensus on allowing a complete 

departure from this provision if the 

minimum overhead clearance could not 

be provided along a trail. After some 

debate, the committee agreed to propose 

the technical requirements for 

headroom clearance. Providing such a 

warning along a trail in the outdoor 

environment may have the effect of 

creating a barrier for all trail users. What 

other options are available on trails, 

specifically where there is a lack of 

sufficient space to move around an 

obstruction without significantly 

impacting the natural environment or 

setting? 

Chapter T4 

Chapter T4 provides supplementary 

technical provisions that apply where 

required by Chapter T3 or where 

referenced by a requirement in this 

document. 

Regulatory Process Matters 

These guidelines have been reviewed 

by the Office of Management and 

Budget pursuant to Executive Order 

12866. The Access Board prepared a 

regulatory assessment for the guidelines. 

The regulatory assessment is available 

on the Access Board’s Web site at 

http://www.access-board.gov/outdoor/ 

assessment.htm. The guidelines apply 

to the new construction and alteration 

of outdoor developed areas by Federal 

agencies subject to the Architectural 

Barriers Act. The guidelines will 

primarily affect the following Federal 

land management agencies in the 

Department of Agriculture: Forest 

Service; in the Department of the 

Interior: National Park Service, Fish and 

Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land 

Management, and Bureau of 

Reclamation; and in the Department of 

Defense: Army Corps of Engineers. 

Establishing the Federal land 

management agencies annual 

expenditures on the construction and 

alterations of the elements and spaces 

covered by the proposed guidelines 

required a project-by-project review. 

The Access Board requested data from 

the Federal land management agencies 

on camping and picnic projects and 

trails projects funded in FY 2004 that 

included elements and spaces covered 

by the proposed guidelines. The data is 

summarized in Table 1. Some of the 

projects included the construction and 

alterations of general parking areas, 

restrooms, and other facilities covered 

by existing accessibility standards, or 

the construction and alterations of roads 

and other infrastructure that are not 

subject to accessibility standards. Thus, 

the total project costs overstate the 

expenditures on elements and spaces 

covered by the proposed guidelines. 

TABLE 1.—FY 2004 PROJECTS THAT INCLUDED CONSTRUCTION AND ALTERATIONS OF ELEMENTS AND SPACES COVERED

BY PROPOSED GUIDELINES

Agency 

Camping & picnic areas Trails 

Number of 

projects Total project costs Number of projects Total project costs 

Department of Agriculture 

Forest Service ......................................................... Not available ...... $6.9 million (FY 2003) Not available. ..... Not available. 

Department of the Interior: 

National Park Service ............................................. 46 ....................... $14.0 million .............. 33 ....................... $2.7 million. 

Fish and Wildlife Service ........................................ 2 ......................... $0.2 million ................ 3 ......................... $0.3 million. 

Bureau of Land Management ................................. 6 ......................... $1.8 million ................ 1 ......................... $25,000. 

Bureau of Reclamation ........................................... 8 ......................... $1.1 million ................ 3 ......................... $1.2 million. 

Department of Defense: 

Army Corps of Engineers ........................................ 25 ....................... Not available ............. 4 ......................... $1 million. 

Total ................................................................. 87 ....................... $24.0 million .............. 44 ....................... $5.2 million. 

The Access Board reviewed 43 

camping and picnic area projects and 26 

trail projects that included the 

construction or alteration of elements 

and spaces covered by the accessibility 

guidelines for outdoor developed areas 

for this regulatory assessment, as shown 

in Table 2. The purpose of the review 

was to assess the level of accessibility of 

the elements and spaces, and the 

additional costs associated with 

accessibility. 

TABLE 2.—PROJECTS REVIEWED FOR

REGULATORY ASSESSMENT

Agency 

Camping & 

picnic area 

projects 

Trail 

projects 

Department of 

Agriculture: 

Forest Service 12 4 

Department of 

the Interior: 

National Park 

Service ....... 9 11 

Fish and Wildlife Service 2 3 

TABLE 2.—PROJECTS REVIEWED FOR

REGULATORY ASSESSMENT—Continued 

Agency 

Camping & 

picnic area 

projects 

Trail 

projects 

Bureau of 

Land Management ..... 6 1 

Bureau of 

Reclamation 8 3 

Department of 

Defense: 


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TABLE 2.—PROJECTS REVIEWED FOR

REGULATORY ASSESSMENT—Continued 

Agency 

Camping & 

picnic area 

projects 

Trail 

projects 

Army Corps of 

Engineers .. 6 4 

Total ........... 43 26 

The Access Board used two baselines 

for this regulatory assessment. The first 

baseline assesses the costs associated 

with the proposed guidelines compared 

to the Federal land management 

agencies current accessibility policies 

and practices as described below: 

• Forest Service—FSORAG and 

FSTAG. The Forest Service currently 

requires all its construction and 

alteration projects to use Forest Service 

Outdoor Recreation Accessibility 

Guidelines (FSORAG) and Forest 

Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines 

(FSTAG). FSORAG and FSTAG 

generally meet or exceed the level of 

accessibility in the proposed guidelines. 

Thus, the Forest Service’s projects will 

not incur any additional costs 

associated with the proposed guidelines 

compared to FSORAG and FSTAG. 

• Department of the Interior—Best 

Practices Bulletins. The Federal land 

management agencies in the Department 

of the Interior currently use the National 

Center on Accessibility’s best practices 

bulletins. However, the agencies have 

not formally required all their 

construction and alteration projects to 

use the technical bulletins. Therefore, 

the baseline assumes 50 percent to 75 

percent of the agencies’ projects use the 

best practices bulletins. The best 

practices bulletins generally meet the 

level of accessibility in the proposed 

guidelines. Thus, the percentage of the 

agencies’ projects that will incur 

additional costs associated with the 

proposed guidelines range from a lower 

bound of 25 percent to an upper bound 

of 50 percent. 

• Army Corps of Engineers— 

Recreation Facility and Customer 

Service Standards and Best Practices. 

The Army Corps of Engineers currently 

require all its construction and 

alteration projects to use its Recreation 

Facility and Customer Service 

Standards, and also currently 

recommends that the projects use best 

practices for accessible design. The 

Army Corps of Engineers’ Recreation 

Facility and Customer Service 

Standards generally meet or exceed the 

level of accessibility in the proposed 

guidelines, except for recreational 

vehicle parking areas and trails. The 

baseline assumes 50 percent to 75 

percent of the Army Corps of Engineers’

projects use best practices for designing 

accessible recreational vehicle parking 

areas and trails that meet the level of 

accessibility in the proposed guidelines. 

Thus, the percentage of the Army Corps 

of Engineers’ projects that will incur 

additional costs for recreational vehicle 

parking areas and trails associated with 

the proposed guidelines range from a 

lower bound of 25 percent to an upper 

bound of 50 percent. 

The additional annual costs 

associated with the proposed guidelines 

compared to the Federal land 

management agencies current 

accessibility policies and practices 

range from $0.5 million to $1.1 million. 

The second baseline assesses the costs 

associated with the proposed guidelines 

if accessibility were not required by the 

Access Board or otherwise. That is, the 

second baseline attempts to evaluate 

how the Federal land management’s 

agencies would construct the elements 

and spaces covered by the proposed 

guidelines in the absence of any 

accessibility requirement. The 

additional annual costs associated with 

the proposed guidelines using the 

second baseline range from $2.0 million 

to $2.6 million. 

Individuals with disabilities, and 

their families and friends, will benefit 

from visiting and using accessible 

facilities in outdoor developed areas. 

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 

there are 51.2 million Americans with 

disabilities in the civilian noninstitutionalized population in 2002. 

Among the population age 15 and older, 

2.7 million individuals use a 

wheelchair, and another 9.1 million use 

a mobility aid such as a cane, crutches, 

or walker. The benefits to individuals 

with disabilities are not quantifiable. 

Many of the benefits to these 

individuals resulting from accessible 

facilities in outdoor developed areas are 

currently being realized under the 

Federal land management agencies’

current accessibility policies and 

practices. The proposed guidelines will 

contribute to the benefits, and the 

benefits justify the regulatory action. 

The proposed guidelines will not 

have a significant economic impact on 

a substantial number of small entities 

for purposes of the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act because the guidelines 

apply only to Federal agencies. The 

proposed guidelines do not have any 

Federalism implications because they 

do not apply to State, local, and tribal 

governments. The proposed guidelines 

do not establish any requirements 

subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. 

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 1195 

Buildings and facilities, Individuals 

with disabilities. 

Tricia Mason, 

Chair, Architectural and Transportation 

Barriers Compliance Board. 

For the reasons set forth in the 

preamble, the Access Board proposes to 

add part 1195 to Chapter XI of title 36 

of the Code of Federal Regulations to 

read as follows: 

PART 1195—ARCHITECTURAL 

BARRIERS ACT ACCESSIBILITY 

GUIDELINES FOR OUTDOOR 

DEVELOPED AREAS 

Sec. 

1195.1 Accessibility guidelines. 

Appendix A to Part 1195—Architectural 

Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines for 

Outdoor Developed Areas 

Authority: 29 U.S.C. 792(b)(3). 

§ 1195.1 Accessibility guidelines. 

The accessibility guidelines for 

outdoor developed areas designed, 

constructed, or altered by or on behalf 

of Federal agencies subject to the 

Architectural Barriers Act are set forth 

in Appendix A to this part. 

Appendix A to Part 1195— 

Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility 

Guidelines for Outdoor Developed 

Areas 

BILLING CODE 8190–01–P 


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34134 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.039</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 34135 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.040</GPH>
34136 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.041</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 34137 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.042</GPH>
34138 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.043</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 34139 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.044</GPH>
34140 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.045</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 34141 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.046</GPH>
34142 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.047</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 34143 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.048</GPH>
34144 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.049</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 34145 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.050</GPH>
34146 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.051</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 34147 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.052</GPH>
34148 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.053</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 34149 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.054</GPH>
34150 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.055</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 34151 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.056</GPH>
34152 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.057</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 34153 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.058</GPH>
34154 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.059</GPH>
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 20, 2007 / Proposed Rules 34155 

[FR Doc. 07–2979 Filed 6–19–07; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 8190–01–C 


sroberts on PROD1PC64 with PROPOSALSEP20JN07.060</GPH>