Comments on: How to Build an Accessible Curb Cut http://curbcut.net/general/how-to-build-an-accessible-curb-cut/ open and accessible Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:08:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Christopher Phillips http://curbcut.net/general/how-to-build-an-accessible-curb-cut/#comment-225 Christopher Phillips Thu, 22 Sep 2005 04:24:31 +0000 http://curbcut.net/general/how-to-build-an-accessible-curb-cut/#comment-225 You bring up an interesting and important point about curb cuts- in discussions on accessibility they are often highlighted as a prime example of Universal Design, how a modification for a specific population benefits everyone. However, as noted, curb cuts can also at times be an inconvenience. Besides the example noted above, curb cuts often facilitate easy entry of bicycles and rollerblades onto sidewalks- unwelcome guests for pedestrians. Too often Universal Design is hailed as a perfect solution for everyone, which may be true only in rare, ideal situations. Captions are great in a number of different situations, but they bother some people. The point being that if a 6:1 ratio works for almost everyone and is significantly less of an inconvenience for everyone else then it should probably at least be considered. Regarding this specific example, I personally have no idea. Any idea what the slope ratio requirements in Canada Stephen? You bring up an interesting and important point about curb cuts- in discussions on accessibility they are often highlighted as a prime example of Universal Design, how a modification for a specific population benefits everyone. However, as noted, curb cuts can also at times be an inconvenience. Besides the example noted above, curb cuts often facilitate easy entry of bicycles and rollerblades onto sidewalks- unwelcome guests for pedestrians.
Too often Universal Design is hailed as a perfect solution for everyone, which may be true only in rare, ideal situations. Captions are great in a number of different situations, but they bother some people. The point being that if a 6:1 ratio works for almost everyone and is significantly less of an inconvenience for everyone else then it should probably at least be considered. Regarding this specific example, I personally have no idea. Any idea what the slope ratio requirements in Canada Stephen?

]]> By: Stephen Downes http://curbcut.net/general/how-to-build-an-accessible-curb-cut/#comment-224 Stephen Downes Wed, 21 Sep 2005 19:41:51 +0000 http://curbcut.net/general/how-to-build-an-accessible-curb-cut/#comment-224 The 1:12 ratio means that, if your curb is 6 inches high (which is typical) then your curb cut is 6 feet wide. This makes the curb cut effectively the width of the entire sidewalk, which is how they are designed here in Moncton. In the winder, however, these cuts freeze over and become slippery. And on an icy surface, even a slope of 1:12 is dangerous - it is common to slip on them and fall. However, since the curb cut is the entire width of the sidewalk, there is no place for a pedestrian to find a flat surface onwhich to walk. For this reason, I favour a smaller ratio - 1:6, say, which is still navigable by car or wheelchair, but which noneless offers a safe walking surface in icy weather. The 1:12 ratio means that, if your curb is 6 inches high (which is typical) then your curb cut is 6 feet wide.

This makes the curb cut effectively the width of the entire sidewalk, which is how they are designed here in Moncton.

In the winder, however, these cuts freeze over and become slippery. And on an icy surface, even a slope of 1:12 is dangerous - it is common to slip on them and fall.

However, since the curb cut is the entire width of the sidewalk, there is no place for a pedestrian to find a flat surface onwhich to walk.

For this reason, I favour a smaller ratio - 1:6, say, which is still navigable by car or wheelchair, but which noneless offers a safe walking surface in icy weather.

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