United States Department of Transportation
i
Assessment of Detectable Warning Devices for Specification Compliance or Equivalent Facilitation
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1992-12-01
[PDF-4.31 MB]
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Edition:Final Report April 1992-June 1992
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Abstract:This report evaluates the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) specification for detectable
warnings and the applicability of equivalent facilitation to the development of detectable warning devices. Ambiguities
in the specification are identified and solutions are recommended to address these problems.
Detectable warnings are intended to aid the visually impaired to detect the presence of hazards on a circulation path.
Transit authorities and manufacturers developing detectable warnings for use at rail platforms have requested assistance
in interpreting the specification. Lack of precision in the specification language allows different interpretations,
resulting in products that vary widely in their designs. The evolution of the detectable warning specification and the
human performance considerations that led to changes in the specification are discussed. Recommendations are given for
clarifying the language and eliminating the ambiguity in the specification.
For transportation authorities unable to comply with the ADA detectable warning specification, the guidelines provide an
alternative mechanism by which accessibility requirements may be met. Equivalent Facilitation permits the use of
alternative designs provided they give equal or better access. The implications of departures from the specification
are discussed and several tests are suggested for determining whether an alternative design meets the equivalent
facilitation criterion.
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