Pedestrian Ramps, Blended Transitions & Cut Throughs

• Maintains an accessible path of travel for pedestrians with mobility disabilities and those with strollers or other wheeled devices
• Provides visual and tactile cues for pedestrians with vision disabilities when entering or exiting dedicated pedestrian space

• Pedestrian ramps, blended transitions, or cut throughs are needed wherever a pedestrian circulation path crosses a vehicle path or roadway
• In accordance with federal accessibility standards, certain projects and construction activities are required to install or upgrade pedestrian ramps, blended transitions, and cut throughs. For these specific requirements, refer to the scope of work section below
• Single pedestrian ramps serving two crossings (apex ramps) must not be installed unless prior written approval is given by the department
• Pedestrian ramps must be provided for all crosswalks (marked or unmarked) at corner and midblock locations. If two perpendicular ramps are not feasible at a corner, consider alternative design types, such as parallel ramp, shared parallel ramp, blended transitions, and cut-throughs. Refer to DWG #H-1011 for typical pedestrian ramp types, design and construction requirements, and other guidance
• Where pedestrian crossing is prohibited, pedestrian ramps, blended transitions, or cut throughs must not be provided
   

• At all corners, medians, and mid-block crossings where pedestrian circulation paths exist

• The design and construction of pedestrian ramps, cut-throughs, and blended transitions must comply with all final rules promulgated by the United States Department of Justice under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) pursuant to Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations §35.151(b)(4)(iii), NYC DOT Standard Details of Construction Drawing #H-1011 (DWG #H-1011), and local rules, specifications, and bulletins
• If the minimum design standards cannot be met, ADA compliance must be provided to the maximum extent feasible. Coordinate with DOT prior to construction to demonstrate and document alternative designs in cases where strict compliance is structurally impracticable or technically infeasible. (Review the Ped Ramp Program for updated technical infeasibility forms)
• Where requested, site grading details must be developed indicating the existing and proposed locations, grades, slopes, and dimensions of pedestrian ramps, blended transitions, and cut-throughs. Site grading details should be provided wherever pedestrian ramps, blended transitions, and cut throughs with non-standard designs are proposed 
• At pedestrian ramps, there must be a landing, an unobstructed area with slope and dimension requirements as defined in DWG #H-1011 to allow pedestrians with wheelchairs to rest and/or turn when using the ramp 
• To account for construction tolerances, all ramp elements (i.e. ramp running and cross slopes, landing running and cross slopes, and flare slopes) should be designed and laid out to be at least 0.5% less than the maximum work acceptance slopes, as described in DWG #H-1011
• Review Detectable Warning Surface for specific design guidance and color contrast requirements for detectable warning surfaces

Scope of Work Requirements

All entities performing work involving new construction or alterations within the public right-of-way must incorporate the work specified in the six scenarios below into their scope of work:

1. For work that includes installation, repair, or reconstruction of any sidewalk, including sidewalk trenching, within a corner or midblock crosswalk, all pedestrian ramps, blended transitions, and cut-throughs at the corner must be installed or upgraded.
2. For work that includes installation, repair, or reconstruction of a median or island within the crosswalk, all pedestrian ramps, blended transitions, and cut-throughs connecting to the crosswalk, including all ramps at corners and midblock locations, must be installed or upgraded. Review Receiving Corner Scoping Diagram
3. For work that includes new crosswalk installation or changes to crosswalk geometry, pedestrian ramps, blended transitions, and cut-throughs connecting to the crosswalk must be installed or upgraded, including all ramps at corners and midblock locations.
4. For work performed by any entity (with the exception of private utility companies) that includes roadway resurfacing or roadway reconstruction within a crosswalk (partial or curb-to-curb), all pedestrian ramps, blended transitions, or cut-throughs connecting to the restored crosswalk, including all ramps at corners and midblock locations, must be installed or upgraded.
5. For private utility work that includes curb-to-curb roadway resurfacing or roadway reconstruction within a crosswalk, all pedestrian ramps, blended transitions, or cut-throughs connecting to the restored crosswalk, including all ramps at corners and midblock locations, must be installed or upgraded.
6. For new construction of a city- or state-owned facility adjacent to a crosswalk, all pedestrian ramps, blended transitions, or cut-throughs connecting to the crosswalk must be installed or upgraded. Any missing sidewalks must also be installed to provide access between the newly constructed facility and adjoining crosswalks.

Exceptions: The required pedestrian ramp, blended transition, or cut-throughs may be omitted from the scope of work for the following reasons:

• Inspection data is provided to DOT that confirms compliance with DOT and ADA requirements, and DOT provides written acceptance.
• An approved Technical Infeasibility Form, signed by a licensed professional in accordance with DOT requirements, is provided that confirms compliance to the maximum extent feasible.

Receiving Corner Scoping Diagram