Technical note on Scoping and Usability of Van Accessible Disabled Parking Spots
There are several problems with van accessible disabled parking
scoping that present "usability" problems to the disabled driver.
One is a critical issue with the location of the van accessible parking stalls
in a contiguous row of disabled parking stalls. In about 99% of the cases the
Van accessible stall is the first stall, that is, the one closest to the entrance
of the facility or accessible route. Based on my observations over 11 years
of using a side lift van this is not the best configuration. The best location
for the van accessible stall is actually furthest away from the accessible route.
Another problem is back-in van accessible parking spots.
I. So what is the problem with the location of stalls?
1. The "walking" disabled (see below) will always 99.9% of the time
take the disabled stall closest to their destination. This guarantees that the
slot will not be available to a side-lift wheel chair van 99.9% of the time.
2. Non-van disabled and able-bodied people do not understand what a van accessible
stall is so are insensitive to this problem.
3. A wheel chair van being driven by the disabled person alone cannot park in
a non-van accessible slot since the 8 ft. passenger side clearance is required
both to exit the van and reenter when leaving. Yes we do travel independently
and spend lots of money.
4. There are too many state disabled permits issued and the criteria is not
uniform. There are no instructions provided about van accessible slots with
the permits. There are not van-access and not van-access permits - it is the
same permit.
5. Van accessible slots are not marked or enforced "Side Lift Van Only".
Some CostCo stores include signs on their (closest to building!) van accessible
slots saying "For Van Only".
502.6 Identification. Parking space identification signs shall include the International
Symbol of Accessibility complying with 703.7.2.1. Signs identifying van parking
spaces shall contain the designation “van accessible.” Signs shall
be 60 inches (1525 mm) minimum above the finish floor or ground surface measured
to the bottom of the sign.
Advisory 502.6 Identification. The required “van
accessible” designation is intended to be informative, not restrictive,
in identifying those spaces that are better suited for van use. Enforcement
of motor vehicle laws, including parking privileges, is a local matter.
502.7 Relationship to Accessible Routes. Parking spaces and access aisles shall
be designed so that cars and vans, when parked, cannot obstruct the required
clear width of adjacent accessible routes.
Advisory 502.7 Relationship to Accessible Routes. Wheel stops are an effective
way to prevent vehicle overhangs from reducing the clear width of accessible
routes.
6. Who is more disabled - "walking" disabled?
When dealing with disabled parking stalls, many people think of people in wheel
chairs. But physical disabilities are diverse - some people use canes, walkers,
crutches, braces, prosthesis, or no visible mechanical aid. Common to most non-wheelchair
disabled is their limited ability to walk long distances or stand for extended
periods. Some make tradeoffs between distance and difficulty. These "standing"
disabled will always park in the stall closest to their destination because
their walking distance is severely limited. It is important to think of access
adaptations in terms of this spectrum, not only in terms of wheel chairs.
Photo Collection
of Disabled Parking at a new Target Store
II. Another Problem -- Back-in Van Parking Design.
The 1994 ADAAG and the 1998 Uniform Building Code define a van accessible parking
spot as a front-in spot with an 8 ft. access aisle on the passenger side.
The 1998 and 2004 ANSI A117.1 code defines a van accessible parking spot as
one with an 8 ft. access aisle on either side. In fact the sample illustration
shows a back-in spot. I am sure non-disabled Engineers assumed backing in was
just as good as pulling front-in - and that might seem logical. However no one
looked at the "usability" of backing in. A side-lift van has a wheel
chair lift mounted in the further back passenger side door. Usually the control
switches are mounted on the right rear quarter panel or sometimes in the rear
taillight lens.
The problem here is that frequently the parking layout is such that the rear
switches are not accessible to the driver in a wheel chair when backed in. They
frequently are blocked by vegetation or curbs or both. Another problem is that
for a disabled driver backing in can be more difficult than pulling in. Yet
another problem is that a disabled driver may be unable to open the front passengers
doors so will put packages and other items in the way back doors. This makes
it easier for a person in a wheel chair to pick up or drop off the items at
the lower level of the rear floor. Again, backing in blocks wheel chair access
to the back door since the disabled parking sign will block opening the door
not to mention frequent vegetation.
Photo collection
of Back-in Van Accessible Parking
502.3.4 Location. Access aisles shall not overlap the vehicular
way. Access aisles shall be permitted to be placed on either side of the parking
space except for angled van parking spaces which shall have access aisles located
on the passenger side of the parking spaces.
Advisory 502.3.4 Location. Wheelchair
lifts typically are installed on the passenger side of vans. Many drivers, especially
those who operate vans, find it more difficult to back into parking spaces than
to back out into comparatively unrestricted vehicular lanes. For this reason,
where a van and car share an access aisle, consider locating the van space so
that the access aisle is on the passenger side of the van space.
III. What are some solutions?
a. One solution is to just require all disabled parking stalls to be van-accessible
with the wider access aisles. That would be the most error free solution.
b. A more practical solution is to write in the code that the van-accessible
slots be located furthest away from the accessible route or entrance. This would
be more error prone.
c. The US Access Board draft Public Right of Way specifications state that all
on-street disabled parking spots be van accessible. This recognizes that the
spots will be isolated and distributes one per block face.