The US Access Board published Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way on November 23, 2005. These guidelines are not final and are not enforceable by the US Department of Justice. See Public Right of Way Enforcement and Consensus for more details.

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III. What about parking in public right of ways?

There is a June 2002 draft Public right of Ways specification that clarifies this to specify one disabled parking spot in every block face and that every spot be van accessible. This draft specification requires some common sense interpretations of the following items

1. How big is a block -- R216 On-Street Parking
Where on-street parking is marked or metered, accessible parking spaces complying with R308 shall be provided on the block perimeter in accordance with Table R216.

Advisory R216 On-Street Parking. Accessible on-street parking spaces are best located where the street has the least crown and grade and close to key destinations. Adjacent sidewalk space should be free of obstructions (including curb ramps) to permit deployment of a van side-lift.

Table R216 Accessible Parking Spaces

Total Number of Marked or Metered Parking Spaces on the Block Perimeter
Minimum Required Number of Accessible Parking Spaces

Pay close attention to 1109.5 Obstructions - many towns have signs, trees and planter boxes on the sidewalk which prevent the use of a side lift van.

IV. Parking Section Extract- Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way - November 23, 2005

Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way November 23, 2005 -- PDF version
See: http://www.access-board.gov/prowac/draft.htm

R308 On-Street Parking

R308.1 General. On-street parking spaces shall comply with R308.

R308.2 Parallel Parking Spaces.

R308.2.1 Wide Walkways. Where the width of the adjacent walkway exceeds 4.3 m (14 ft), an access aisle at least 1.5 m (5.0 ft) wide shall be provided at street level the full length of the parking space and shall connect to a pedestrian access route serving the space. The access aisle shall not encroach on the vehicular travel lane.

Advisory R308.2.1 Wide Walkways. The walkway adjacent to an accessible parallel parking space should be free of obstructions such as signage, plantings, or equipment that would preclude deployment of a vehicle side-lift onto the access aisle or walkway.

A vehicle may park at the curb or at the parking lane boundary in order to locate the access aisle for individual use.

R308.2.2 Narrow Walkways. An access aisle is not required where the width of the adjacent walkway is less than or equal to 4.3 m (14 ft). When an access aisle is not provided, the parking space shall be located at either end of the block face.

Advisory R308.2.2 Narrow Walkways. An end-of-block space can be served by the curb ramps at the street crossing.

R308.3 Perpendicular or Angled Parking Spaces. Where perpendicular or angled parking is provided, an access aisle 2.4 m (8.0 ft) wide minimum shall be provided at street level the full length of the parking space and shall connect to a pedestrian access route serving the space. Access aisles shall be marked so as to discourage parking in them.

Advisory R308.3 Perpendicular or Angled Parking Spaces. All accessible angled and perpendicular on-street parking is treated as van parking with wide access aisles. In many cases, two spaces on either side of a single access aisle will satisfy scoping requirements. Where backing into the space (to locate the access aisle on the side needed) is not permitted, an access aisle for each accessible space should be provided.

R308.4 Curb Ramps or Blended Transitions. A curb ramp or blended transition complying with R303 shall connect the access aisle to the pedestrian access route.

R308.5 Signs. Parking space identification signs shall include the International Symbol of Accessibility complying with R409.5.10. Signs shall be located at the head or foot of the parking space so as not to interfere with the operation of a side lift or a passenger side transfer.

Advisory R308.5 Signs. Accessible parallel parking spaces located at the foot of a block can serve vans that have rear lifts or cars with scooter platforms.

R308.6 Parking Meters. Where parking meters are provided, they shall comply with R308.6. Operable parts shall comply with R405.

R308.6.1 Meters at Parking Spaces. A parking meter shall be located at the head or foot of a parallel parking space so as not to interfere with the operation of a side lift or a passenger side transfer.

R308.6.2 Remote Meters. Where payment for parking in a space is included in a centralized collection box or paying station, the space shall be connected to the centralized collection point with a pedestrian access route.

R308.6.3 Displays and Information. Displays and information shall be visible from a point located 1.0 m (3.3 ft) maximum above the center of the clear floor space in front of the meter.

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1109.1 General. Car and van on-street parking spaces shall comply with 1109.

1109.2 Parallel Parking Spaces. An access aisle at least 60 inches (1525 mm) wide shall be provided at street level the full length of the parking space. The access aisle shall connect to a pedestrian access route serving the space. The access aisle shall not encroach on the vehicular travel lane.
EXCEPTION: An access aisle is not required where the width of the sidewalk between the extension of the normal curb and boundary of the public right-of-way is less than 14 feet (4270 mm). When an access aisle is not provided, the parking space shall be located at the end of the block face.

1109.3 Perpendicular or Angled Parking Spaces. Where perpendicular or angled parking is provided, an access aisle 96 inches (2440 mm) wide minimum shall be provided at street level the full length of the parking space and shall connect to a pedestrian access route serving the space. Access aisles shall be marked so as to discourage parking in them.

1109.4 Curb Ramps or Blended Transition. A curb ramp or blended transition complying with 1104 shall connect the access aisle to the pedestrian access route.

1109.5 Obstructions. There shall be no obstructions on the sidewalk adjacent to and for the full length of the space.
EXCEPTION: This provision shall not apply to parking signs complying with 1109.6 and parking meters complying with 1109.7.2.

1109.6 Signs. Parking spaces shall be designated as reserved by a sign complying with 502.6. Signs shall be located at the head or foot of the parking space so as not to interfere with the operation of a side lift or a passenger side transfer.

1109.7 Parking Meters. Where parking meters are provided, they shall comply with 1109.7.

1109.7.1 Operable Parts. Operable parts shall comply with 309.

1109.7.2 Location. A parking meter shall be located at the head or foot of the parking space so as not to interfere with the operation of a side lift or a passenger side transfer.
EXCEPTION: Where parking meters are not provided at the space, but payment for parking in the space is included in a centralized collection box or paying station, the space shall be connected to the centralized collection point with a pedestrian access route.

1109.7.3 Displays and Information. Displays and information shall be visible from a point located 40 inches (1015 mm) maximum above the center of the clear floor space in front of the meter.
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1102 Scoping Requirements

1102.1 General. All areas of newly designed and newly constructed facilities in public rights-of-way and altered portions of existing facilities in public rights-of-way shall comply with Chapter 11.

1102.2 Existing Public Rights-of-Way. Additions to existing public rights-of-way shall comply with 1102.2.1. Alterations to existing public rights-of-way shall comply with 1102.2.2.

1102.2.1 Additions. Each addition to an existing public right-of-way shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 11. Where the addition connects with existing construction, the connection shall comply with 1102.2.2.

1102.2.2 Alterations. Where existing elements or spaces in the public right-of-way are altered, each altered element or space shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 11.
EXCEPTION: In alterations, where compliance with applicable provisions is technically infeasible, the alteration shall comply to the maximum extent feasible.

1102.2.2.1 Extent of Application. An alteration of an existing element, space, or area of a public right-of-way shall not impose a requirement for accessibility greater than required for new construction.

1102.2.2.2 Prohibited Reduction in Access. An alteration that decreases or has the effect of decreasing the accessibility of a public right-of-way or site arrival points to buildings or facilities adjacent to the altered portion of the public right-of-way, below the requirements for new construction at the time of the alteration is prohibited.
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1102.14 On-Street Parking. Where on-street parking is provided, at least one accessible on-street parking space shall be located on each block face and shall comply with 1109.
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