Exterior Routes of Travel: Walks, Sidewalks, and Ramps
From handicap parking spaces, provide the most practical direct accessible route of travel to all building entrances and exterior ground level exits by incorporating pedestrian ramps, walks, and sidewalks.
Important: Any path of travel will be considered a ramp if its slope is greater than 1:20 (5 percent) of horizontal run.
Walks and Sidewalks Requirements
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Width | 48" |
| Slope | 1 in 20 max. |
| Change in Level | Max 1/2"; changes 1/4" - 1/2" must be beveled (1:2 ratio - 1 vertical to 2 horizontal) |
| Cross Slope | Max 1/4" per foot |
| Level Areas at Doors/Gates (Swing Side) | 60" x 60" |
| Level Areas at Doors/Gates (Push Side) | 48" wide x 44" deep |
| Swing Side Strike Edge Clearance | 24" |
| Hand Rail | Not required |
Ramp Requirements
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Width | As required for stairways and exits; minimum 48" |
| Slope | Max 1:12 (1:14 or less preferred) |
| Cross Slope | Max 1:50 |
| Landing | See illustrations below |
| Hand Rail | Required with slope >1:20 |
| Hand Rail Height | 34" to 38" |
| Hand Rail Grip | 1 1/2" diameter |
Ramp Landing Configurations
(a) Straight Ramp Run
┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Top Platform │
│ 60" min (no door swings onto landing) │
│ 42" min + door width (door swings on) │
├──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ Ramp Run (72" min length) │
│ │
├──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Intermediate Level Platform │
│ 60" min (no door swings onto landing) │
│ 42" min + door width (door swings on) │
├──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ Ramp Run (72" min length) │
│ │
├──────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Bottom Level Platform │
└──────────────────────────────────────────┘
NOTE 1: When door swings onto landing = 42" min. plus door width; when no door swings onto landing = 60" min.
(b) Ramp with Turning Platform
┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ Intermediate Turning Platform │
│ 72" min x 72" min │
│ │
│ ┌─────────────┐ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ 72" min │ │
│ │ │ │
│ └─────────────┘ │
│ │
└──────────────────────────────────────┘
(a) Ramp with Intermediate Switch Back Platform
┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Ramp Run │
│ (Maximum horizontal distance) │
├──────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ Switch Back Platform │
│ │
├──────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Ramp Run │
│ (Maximum horizontal distance) │
└──────────────────────────────────────┘
NOTE 2: Maximum horizontal distance of each ramp run varies.
(b) Ramp Landing at Doorway
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ Door Width + 42" total │
│ │
│ ┌──────┐ │
│ │ Door │ 24" min exterior │
│ │ │ 18" min interior │
│ │ │ beyond strike edge │
│ └──────┘ (side toward which │
│ door swings) │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
These requirements ensure accessible routes connect parking areas to building entrances. For parking space requirements, refer to Accessible Parking Requirements. For entrance door specifications, see Doors and Door Hardware.