19.4.1 Curb Ramp Locations

Curb ramps must be installed to connect the pedestrian access routes at each pedestrian street crossing. A pedestrian street crossing is considered to be present if:
  • There is a sidewalk or shared use path crossing a curb;
  • There are pedestrian signal heads and accessible push buttons*;
  • There is a marked or unmarked crosswalk; or
  • There is a school crossing.
*The ADA requires installation of curb ramps even in the absence of a pedestrian walkway to allow pedestrians to reach accessible push buttons.
Curb ramp placement may be affected by the location and placement of streetscape elements and utilities, including inlets. The location of fixed objects (e.g., poles, signal cabinets, etc.) should not limit access for pedestrians and bicyclists using sidewalks and curb ramps. Curb ramps and crosswalks should be designed to drain water away from curb ramps, reducing risk of pooling (and icing) across ramps. The approach to curb ramp landings should minimize the number of movements needed to reach the curb ramp. An excessive number of movements may be hard for pedestrians to detect and maneuver. See
Section 19.1
for the design of curb ramps at driveways.