APPENDIX B TRAINING MANUAL
BUS STOP ADA ASSESSMENT STUDY Assessment Procedures and Practices Training and Guidance Manual OVERVIEW Space Coast Area Transit wishes to improve the accessibility, safety, security, and the operations of their bus stops and transfer centers. SCAT s vision for improving its overall service is by providing accessible bus stops, as well as enhanced amenities for passengers. To accomplish this, the SCAT has contracted with Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc. (TOA) to conduct a Bus Stop and Facility Accessibility Study.
OVERVIEW The study includes a comprehensive assessment of the conditions at SCAT s bus stops and facilities. Information relating to the accessibility of each bus stop and facility will be collected with the purpose of improving their accessibility issues to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements as they relate to bus stops and transit facilities, as well as to identify which bus stops and facilities are in compliance with the ADA. The study will result in a comprehensive report and phasing plan that will identify and prioritize improvements at bus stops and facilities necessary to address deficiencies relative to accessibility, safety, security, operation, and passenger comfort issues recorded during the assessment process. OVERVIEW The approach to completing the bus stop and facility accessibility study will be a cooperative effort between the SCAT s and TOA s staff. SCAT and TOA will work as a cohesive unit to maintain project quality and schedule adherence. The TOA will provide the resources for the field assessments and data collection as well as develop the assessment and data collection processes, provide assessment training, lead the assessments of the major facilities, and provide project management, oversight, and quality control support for the bus stop assessment and inventory effort.
OVERVIEW Our goal is to inspect and record existing bus stop and facility conditions to establish a base line evaluation of each of SunTran s bus stops and facilities to determine the level of accessibility, safety, security, and operational efficiency. Our degree of skill and thoroughness in the conduct of the assessments will determine the overall success and effectiveness of the study. ASSESSMENT TOOLS SCAT has designated several 1 or 2-person survey teams to complete the inventory data collection. Each survey team will need the following tools and equipment: Tablet which has been programmed to collect the required data Smart Level Measuring Wheel Measuring Tape Safety Vest Route Assessment Assignment Information Assessment Instruction Manual
DATA COLLECTION PROCESS The first step in the assessment effort is to identify what information will be collected at each bus stop and how it will be collected. A comprehensive checklist of the data to be collected as part of the inventory of SCAT s bus stops has been compiled, refined, and field tested. The checklist of data to be collected at each bus stop includes the following categories: 1 - Route, Stop, and Assessor Identification 2 - GSP Location and Photographs 3 - Presence of Features and Amenities 4 - Presence of Accessibility Features 5 - Nearby Community Organizations and Facilities 6 Additional Notes or Photographs 7 OPERATION OF THE TABLET Turn on the unit by pressing the power button on the side of unit. Swipe the screen to unlock the tablet 8
DATA COLLECTION PROCESS Zoom into your current location: Red pins mark the approximate location of all known bus stops. To edit the data at a bus stop, click on its pin If the pin is missing for that bus stop click New Record 9 DATA COLLECTION PROCESS For locations where a bus stop is thought to be on both sides of the street, make sure you select the correct pin. 10
DATA COLLECTION PROCESS After a new or current record is clicked, the data collection form will be shown. Some questions will appear/disappear depending on previous answers. 11 1 - ASSESSOR ID & LOCATION 1.1 Assessor s Name: Your Name or initials. 1.2a A Bus Stop Exists: If a pin marks the location of a nonexistent bus stop, change this to no. 1.2 Bus Stop ID: A pre-assigned ID for each bus stop. 1.3a Location On Street: The on-street name 1.3b Location - Cross street: Nearest Cross Street 1.4a Inbound/Outbound: Is the bus traveling Inbound or Outbound 1.4 Direction of Travel: What direction of travel does the bus stop serve? 12
1 - LOCATION OF BUS STOP 1.6 Physical location of bus stop: Mark which item best describes the location of the bus stop. On Unpaved Shoulder 13 1 - LOCATION OF BUS STOP On Paved Shoulder On Sidewalk 14
1 - LOCATION OF BUS STOP On Island or Raised Median 15 1 - LOCATION OF BUS STOP 1.7 Location of bus when stopped: Mark which item best describes the location of the bus when stopped to board patrons. 16
1 - LOCATION OF BUS STOP Travel Lane Parking Lane 1 - LOCATION OF BUS STOP Pull Out Lane Right Turn Lane
1 - LOCATION OF BUS STOP 1.8 Relation to nearest intersection: Select location of bus stop in relation to the nearest intersection. 1 - POTENTIAL TRAFFIC HAZARDS 1.9 Potential traffic hazards: Select each of the applicable hazards at the bus stop being assessed, and/or specify any hazards present but not included on selection list.
2 LOCATION 2.1 Update the GPS coordinates: Click on the Edit Location button at the top of the screen to manually move the bus stop pin/crosshair to the correct location. Then click Set Location 2 PHOTOGRAPHS 2.2-2.5 Photographs: Please take at least one photograph per direction. To take a photo, click on the direction, then click on Camera.
2 PHOTOGRAPHS When taking a photo, be sure to: Include the entire bus stop, sign, boarding and alighting area, and the surrounding area in the photo. From across the street and behind the bus stop, take perpendicular shot of the entire bus stop and surrounding area. More than one photo can be taken per direction. Take the photograph on the largest setting Photographs of specific issues can be included in the last section. 2 PHOTOGRAPHS Click the camera button, then click save
3A - BUS STOP SIGN 3A Select all of the bus stop sign conditions that apply at the bus stop being assessed. Selecting Yes or no will show/hide succeeding questions. 3A - BUS STOP SIGN Signs providing route designations, bus numbers, destinations, and access information must be designed for use by transit riders with vision impairments. ADAAG REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW BUS STOP SIGNS 4.30.5* Finish and Contrast. The characters and background of signs shall be eggshell, matte, or other non-glare finish. Characters and symbols shall contrast with their background -- either light characters on a dark background or dark characters on a light background. 4.30.2* Character Proportion. Letters and numbers on signs shall have a width-toheight ratio between 3:5 and 1:1 and a stroke-width-to-height ratio between 1:5 and 1:10. 4.30.3 Character Height. Characters and numbers on signs shall be sized according to the viewing distance from which they are to be read. The minimum height is measured using an upper case X. Lower case characters are permitted. 4.30.3 Height Above Finished Floor Minimum Character Height Suspended or projected overhead greater than 80 inches above the finished walkway, upper case characters must be at least 3 inches high minimum.
3A - BUS STOP SIGN 3B - BUS STOP SHELTERS 3B.1 Is there a bus shelter located at this stop: The default value is no. Selecting yes will show additional questions.
3B - BUS STOP SHELTERS 3B.1c What is the condition of the shelter: Select the shelter s condition from the drop-down list provided. 3B MANEUVERING CLEARANCES 3B.1d Can a person maneuver a wheelchair into and through the shelter: Yes/No If access to the shelter is obstructed, describe the obstruction in space provided.
3B MANEUVERING CLEARANCES 3B.1f What is the distance from the shelter to the curb face: Enter the distance from the curb face or edge of the street/roadway to the shelter (in inches) with the measuring wheel or tape. 3B.1g Is there a 30 x48 minimum space fully within the shelter for a wheelchair?: yes/no 3B MANEUVERING CLEARANCES
3C OTHER STOP AMENITIES 3C.1 Other Stop Amenities: Select all amenities that exist at the bus stop being assessed and whether those objects present an obstruction or are not accessible. 3C OTHER STOP AMENITIES Indicate whether a bench is located at the stop and if the bench is provided by SCAT or a 3 rd party.
3C OTHER STOP AMENITIES Indicate whether a route schedule is provided at the bus stop being assessed and where the schedule is mounted. 3C BUS STOP AMENITIES Trash and Newspaper Containers
3C OTHER STOP AMENITIES All bus stop amenities, street furniture, or other items placed at bus stops must not present barriers to individuals with disabilities. Under no circumstances can an object be placed at a bus stop that restricts travel to bus stop, access to the bus boarding and alighting area, a shelter, telephone, bench, or other items used by the general public. 3C CURB TYPES 3C.9 If a curb is present at the bus stop being assessed, select which type and the height of the curb face (in inches).
4A BOARDING AND ALIGHTING 4A.1 Is there a boarding and alighting area (bus stop pad) located at the bus stop and adjacent to the curb/street?: Yes/No Minimum Requirements: (5 x8 ) 4A BOARDING AND ALIGHTING If no boarding and alighting area exists: 4A.1a Measure and enter the clear space width and depth available for the bus boarding and alighting area. Dimensions less than 5 feet parallel to the curb and 8 feet perpendicular to the curb must be recorded. 4A.1b Select any conditions that would prevent a boarding and alighting area from being constructed.
4A BOARDING AND ALIGHTING Insufficient Space for Accessible Boarding 4A BOARDING AND ALIGHTING Insufficient Space for Accessible Boarding
4A BOARDING AND ALIGHTING If a boarding and alighting area exists: 4A.1c Is the boarding and alighting area 5 x8? 4A.1d What material is the boarding and alighting area is made from? 4A.1e Is the boarding and alighting area free from defects: Is it firm, stable, and slip resistant? Any change in elevation along the walking surface that exceeds ¼-inch, or up to ½-inch if beveled on a 1:2 slope is considered non-compliant. 4A.1f Is the boarding and alighting area in a safe area for waiting and boarding? 4A BOARDING AND ALIGHTING 4A.1g Does the boarding and alighting area have a slope matching the slope of the roadway?: Indicate whether the slope of the boarding and alighting area parallel to the curb matches the slope of the roadway and input the percentage of slope parallel and perpendicular to the curb along the boarding and alighting area. Measure the parallel and perpendicular slope and indicate which direction the boarding and alighting area slopes.
4A BOARDING AND ALIGHTING 4A.1k Record all obstructions at or near the bus boarding and alighting area and along any nearby connecting pathway. 4A.1l Indicate if there are any barriers that restrict access to and maneuvering within the bus stop area and along any nearby connecting pathway. 4A BOARDING AND ALIGHTING
4A BOARDING AND ALIGHTING Accessible Route With Restricted Width 4A BOARDING AND ALIGHTING 4A.1m Indicate what material adjoins the bus boarding and alighting. 4A.2 If there is a sidewalk connecting to the boarding and alighting area: Are any nearby and obvious elevation changes in the walkway surfaces that exceed ¼-inch. Is the width of the walkway that connects to the bus boarding and alighting area at least 48 wide?
4A B&A/ACCESSIBLE ROUTE 4A.3 Are there any nearby and obvious signs that provide directions to the accessible entrance from the boarding and alighting area? 4A B&A/ACCESSIBLE ROUTE If protrusions exist and they are higher than 27 inches or lower than 80 inches, a person with a vision impairment may not be able to detect an obstacle (such as a phone kiosk) with a cane. A guide dog may not lead the person with the impairment out of the path. Although it may not be the transit agency's responsibility to address accessibility problems along the entire path, an obstacle anywhere along the path may make it inaccessible for some transit users with disabilities.
4A B&A/ACCESSIBLE ROUTE 4A B&A/ACCESSIBLE ROUTE Protruding Objects
4A B&A/ACCESSIBLE ROUTE Protruding Objects 4A B&A/ACCESSIBLE ROUTE Surfaces must be stable, firm, and slip-resistant. Such provisions are beneficial for all transit users, but especially for those who have disabilities. Avoid abrupt changes in grade, and bevel those that cannot be eliminated. Any drop greater than ½-inch or surface grade steeper than 5% requires a ramp.
4A B&A/ACCESSIBLE ROUTE Surface Deficiencies 4B RAMPS & CROSSINGS 4B.1 Are there any marked crosswalks at nearby street crossings?: Marked crosswalks are not required by the ADAAG but provide a more safe street crossing environment. 4B.1a How far away is the crosswalk from the stop? 4B.1b Is the crosswalk protected: If a street or roadway intersection is near the bus stop being assessed and it has traffic or pedestrian control signals, select Yes.
4B RAMPS & CROSSINGS Controlled Crossing Uncontrolled Crossing 4B RAMPS & CROSSINGS 4B.2 Are there any curb ramps nearby? 4B.2a Do they have detectible warnings? 4B.2b What is the condition of the detectible warning?
4B RAMPS & CROSSINGS Detectable Warning on Curb Ramps 4B RAMPS & CROSSINGS Curb Present at Bus Stops
4B RAMPS & CROSSINGS Curbs Not Present at Bus Stop 4B RAMPS & CROSSINGS 4B.2c Are the curb ramp(s) located or protected to prevent their obstruction by parked vehicles? 4B.2d Are the transitions where the curb ramp(s) meets the sidewalk and where it meets the street or gutter flush with no abrupt change? 4B.2e Is the slope of the nearby curb ramp(s) 1:12 (8.3%) or less? 2B.2f Is the surface of the curb ramp stable, firm, and slip resistant?
4B RAMPS & CROSSINGS Curb Ramp Characteristics 5 TRIP GENERATORS 5.1 Identify the nearby and obvious trip generators for passengers at this stop: Check each of the applicable trip generators that serve the bus stop being assessed. If government facility, human service agency, or other trip generators serve the bus stop being assessed, fill in the appropriate information.
5.2 TITLE VI COMPLIANCE Simply indicate if there are obvious ethnic, cultural, social or other clues that indicate that the bus stop being assessed is, or may, serve a specific cultural, ethnic, or low-income group. Examples would include churches or other religious centers, social gathering facilities, or a preponderance of specific ethnic restaurants, grocery stores, or other such retail or commercial establishments. 6 ADDITIONAL NOTES/PHOTOS Use this section to include any additional notes or photographs about the bus stop or surrounding area, especially if there were any problems or deficiencies with the stop.
SUBMIT SURVEY If you believe that all data have been collected and entered properly, click on the Status: In Progress button and select Complete. Then, click the Save button located on the top right side of the screen. If any required fields were not entered, you will be prompted to enter the missing data. CONCLUSION If you have any questions or comments while in the field, please feel free to contact: Bryan Weinstein 813-224-8862 BWeinstein@tindaleoliver.com Don Kloehn 727-465-8300 DKloehn@tindaleoliver.com Justin Willits 386-212-7040 JWillits@tindaleoliver.com Taylor Cox 913-206-7031 TCox@tindaleoliver.com