Not all streets have sidewalks. Prohibiting parking on one side of a street to facilitate pedestrian movement on streets without sidewalks should be considered where necessary.

  A safe accessible site which links important buildings, parking lots, city streets and open spaces will benefit all campus users. People who have a visual impairment require a walkway / pathway that is safe, easy to locate, continuous and free of hazards. A person with a mobility impairment requires a continuous walkway / pathway that is not too steep and complete with curbed ramps at grade changes.

A pedestrian circulation system of accessible sidewalks and walkways shall be provided connecting all key facilities throughout the campus.

3.2 Orientation and Wayfinding

  The use of wayfinding devices on sidewalks and walkways to assist people with visual impairments shall be provided to improve safety and orientation. These may include coloured markings or texture changes at critical locations such as parking lots, grade changes and rest areas.

Providing a difference in colour and texture between a walkway and adjacent surfaces serves as a guide to people with visual impairments, defining the accessible corridor where it passes through large open areas such as courtyards and plazas.

A colour contrast, textural change or edge treatment along sidewalks and walkways should be used consistently to delineate routes throughout the entire campus. The wayfinding and orientation system should be integrated with accessible signage at critical locations such as building entrances and intersections.

3.2.1 Crosswalks at intersections should be consistently marked with colour and textural changes. Pedestrian routes that traverse parking lots should be similarly marked.

3.3 Definitions

Sidewalks - A sidewalk is defined as an improved pedestrian surface existing within a municipal road allowance or adjacent a vehicular area. Sidewalks should be planned and constructed to provide a safe and efficient means of travel along road allowances. If a parking lot or vehicle route is adjacent to a sidewalk, protection should be provided to separate pedestrians from vehicles. Sidewalks should connect with the pedestrian circulation system of the campus.

Walkways - A walkway is defined as an improved surface on campus property facilitating pedestrian circulation to buildings, courtyards, pedestrian ways, passages or open spaces to which the public have or are permitted access. Walkways should be planned, constructed and maintained to provide a comfortable, safe and efficient means of travel from sidewalks, parking lots, roads, public transit and drop-off zones to the main building entrance, between buildings and to all facilities throughout the campus. Where possible, exterior walkways should be protected from the elements.

3.4 Minimum Width of Sidewalks

  Sidewalks constructed within the campus shall have a minimum clear width of 1500 mm and be free of obstructions caused by utility poles, seating, light standards, etc.

3.5 Minimum Width of Walkways

The minimum width for accessible walkways should not be less than 1800 mm. The preferred width is 2000 mm. This width allows enough room for wheelchairs to pass and also for the storage of snow without obstructing pedestrian traffic during the winter months.

3.6 Surfaces for Sidewalks and Walkways

    Sidewalk and accessible walkway surfaces shall be constructed of a continuous, hard, smooth, stable, non-slip material. Acceptable materials for walkways and sidewalks shall conform to Table 2.1, Section 2 - General Requirements. Brushed concrete is the preferred surface.

Materials which are not suitable include exposed earth, coarse gravel, sand and bark chips. These materials often cannot support the weight of a wheelchair. If ceramic or quarry tile is used, it shall have a slip-resistant finish.

3.6.1 Where paving materials such as brick pavers, concrete slabs or tiles are used, all joints shall be as flush as possible, with a tolerance of 6 mm being the maximum limit.

3.7 Slope of Sidewalks

  3.7.1 Sidewalk slopes should be easily traversed without causing manoeuvrability problems or fatigue.

3.7.2 Sidewalk slopes and grading shall be constructed so that:

Cross slopes of less than 2% (1:50) induce surface icing while slopes of greater than 3%, (1:50) are difficult for wheelchair users to maintain a straight direction of travel.

3.8 Slope of Walkways

  Walkway slopes and grading shall be constructed so that:

A walkway with a slope gentler than 1:20 is not considered a ramp and may be any length. Where walkways exist with longitudinal slopes of 3% to 5%, (1:33 to 1:20), level resting areas shall be placed at 30 metre intervals. Walkways having a slope greater than 5% (1:20%) should be discouraged. Where no alternative access route exists, slopes between 1:12 and 1:20 are acceptable and should be designed as ramps and, as such, shall conform to Section 8, Ramps.

3.9 Walkways through Parking Lots and Access Roads

  Parking lots and access roads are commonly used as walkways throughout the campus. This can create unsafe and intimidating conditions for people with hearing, visual or mobility impairments.

3.9.1 Separate, accessible corridors of travel shall be established where possible.

  3.9.2 The accessible route should not oblige persons with disabilities to pass behind vehicles that may be backing out (OBC A-3.7.1.2.(1)). Circulation routes adjacent to parking spaces shall be part of the barrier-free path of travel to buildings or facility entrances and shall be obstacle-free.

3.9.3 Parking lots and access roads shall not exceed 5% (1:20) in slope. Accessible curb ramps conforming to Section 3.13 shall be installed wherever there is pedestrian access.

  3.9.4 Walkways shall be located so as not to lead to dangerous drop-offs, changes in grade or loading zones. Walkways should not lead into loading zones. Where this occurs, a barrier or guard shall be installed to provide a warning.

3.10 Edges along Sidewalks and Walkways

For people with visual or ambulatory disabilities, a sudden change in grade along the edge of a walkway can be an unexpected hazard. Grade changes along sidewalks or walkways should be avoided.

Protection from grade changes exceeding 75 mm along the edge of a sidewalk or walkway shall be provided by:

3.11 Drainage Structures and Gratings

It is recommended that drainage structures and gratings be placed away from the accessible portion of sidewalks and walkways. Where they do occur they should not present a hazard to persons using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Elongated openings can trap the front wheels of wheelchairs and the small wheels of other mobility aids and openings larger than 13mm can trap crutch and cane tips. Storm water run-off can impede accessibility if sidewalks and walkways are not drained appropriately. It is particularly important to prevent water accumulation where it can freeze and become a slip hazard.

  Drainage structures at grade within a barrier-free path of travel shall:

3.11.1 Surface run-off shall not be channelled to cross or follow walkway or sidewalk surfaces due to potential ice formation during freeze / thaw in winter months.

3.12 Protruding Objects

  Persons who have mobility and visual impairments should be protected from objects protruding into and over sidewalks and walkways. Cane users have no means of detecting objects that are outside their range. The following objects should be positioned adjacent to sidewalks and walkways so as to not impede pedestrians: benches, trees, signs, parking meters, fire hydrants, planters, litter receptacles, sculptures, drinking fountains, sandwich boards, newspaper vending boxes, utility poles, guy wires and postal boxes,etc.

3.12.1 Refer to Section 2.5 for requirements.

3.12.2 Vegetation will be placed and maintained in conformance with Clause 18.7.

3.13 Curb Ramps

Most municipal and campus streets are constructed with barrier curbs edging the vehicular portion of the right of way. Typically these curbs are 150 mm in height. Curb ramps allow persons in wheelchairs to make these grade changes at appropriately located pedestrian crossings. In most situations, curb ramps do not require handrails.

Curb ramps should be as gradual as possible and should not project onto a road surface.

  Curb ramps shall be located:

Corner curb ramps or curb ramps constructed by building up the roadway surface are not recommended.

3.13.1 Curb ramps located at pedestrian crosswalks shall:

3.13.2 Curb Ramps shall be constructed to have:

a) a maximum running slope conforming to the requirements in Section 8, Ramps;
b) a maximum counter slope of gutters and road surfaces immediately adjacent to curb ramps not exceeding 5% (1:20);
c) a minimum width of 920 mm or 1200 mm where exposed to snow;
d)   a level walking space 920 mm wide at the top of the ramp so pedestrians who are not crossing can avoid the ramp (Figure 3.2). Curb ramps with returned curbs can be used where pedestrians would not be expected to walk across the ramp (Figure 3.3).;
e) the bottom lip of the ramp flush with the adjacent roadway surface (a tolerance of 6 mm is the maximum limit); and
f)   surfaces that are slip-resistant and include a detectable warning surface that is colour and texture contrasted with the adjacent surfaces. Any paint used for colour contrast shall be slip-resistant. A textured surface will provide a secure foothold. A detectable surface with a change in plane and a surface texture different from the adjacent sidewalk will assist persons with visual impairments.

3.14 Drainage Structures

Drainage structures located near curb ramps shall:

Run-off shall be prevented from pooling at the base of the curb ramp.

3.15 Raised Islands

  Raised islands within crosswalks shall:

Islands level with the street shall have within the area designed for pedestrian use detectable warning surfaces that are (a) at least 900 mm long; and (b) of a texture and colour that contrasts with the surrounding walking surfaces.

3.16 Crosswalk Controls

  As most marked and signalized crosswalks are on Municipal rights of way, technical issues should be coordinated by Queen's University with the appropriate municipal staff.

Where light signal controls are used, they shall:

3.16.1 Push Buttons
Push buttons for traffic lights should be free of obstacles such as guardrails and should be mounted at a height of between 650 - 800 mm. The signal button shall be colour / brightness contrasted to its immediate surroundings.

3.16.2 Auditory Cues
  The auditory sound cue shall be clearly audible above the ambient noise of the crosswalk area. The sound source shall be emitted from both sides of the crosswalk. Where auditory traffic light signals are utilized, they must be closely monitored for mechanical malfunction.

3.17 Walkways and Sidewalks Adjacent to Construction Sites

  A clear path of travel, at least 920 mm wide, shall be provided around construction sites to ensure a safe route of travel for pedestrians. Barricades shall be provided to protect pedestrians from cars and construction activity. If a raised walkway is necessary, curb ramps conforming to Section 3.13 shall be provided.

Construction barricades shall:

a) include a cane detectable barrier;
b) include both visual and auditory signals to warn pedestrians; and
c)   conform to the specifications in Figure 3.4.

3.18 Bus Stops

A continuous hard, smooth, stable, non-slip surface shall be provided at all bus stops.

  3.18.1 The waiting area shall connect to the adjacent sidewalk on the same side of the street. A sheltered waiting area setback from the sidewalk is preferred. A bench or sitting area conforming to sections 18.3 and 18.4 is preferred. (See Figure 3.5).

3.19 Winter Maintenance

  Snow banks can significantly reduce the quality of access to campus for people with disabilities for a significant part of the year. Responsibility for snow removal operations on campus is shared between the City of Kingston (municipal road rights of way) and Queen's University. It is recommended that the timing of operations be coordinated so that ploughing of roads and sidewalks does not create an obstacle for people with mobility or visual disabilities.