How can roadway design be improved to better serve people with disabilities?

Roadway design is not only about traffic flow, safety, and efficiency, but also about accessibility, inclusion, and equity. People with disabilities face many barriers and challenges when navigating the road network, whether as drivers, passengers, pedestrians, or cyclists. How can roadway design be improved to better serve people with disabilities and create more livable and sustainable communities? Here are some ideas and tips from the perspective of engineering design.

1 Universal design principles

One of the key concepts in designing for accessibility is universal design, which means creating products, environments, and systems that are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialization. Universal design principles can guide roadway design by ensuring that the features and elements of the road network are accessible, understandable, and flexible for people with different abilities, preferences, and needs. For example, applying universal design principles to roadway design can involve providing clear and consistent signage, audible and tactile signals, curb ramps and crossings, and adequate lighting and visibility.

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Muhammad Faizan

I help Industry Owners to design products for construction and material handling equipment's without wasting time in local market | Industry Product Design Specialist
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Roadway design improvements for better accessibility to individuals with disabilities can include implementing curb cuts, tactile paving, audible signals at crossings, wider pathways, and clear signage, ensuring a more inclusive and navigable environment for all.

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Andrew Houghton

Nationally Recognized Accessibility Expert. Creating Innovative Disability Inclusion Solutions. Certified DOBE.
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When working with clients, we like to use the phrase "From Street to Seat" meaning when considering universal design strategies it is important to understand user experience from navigating arrival to locating their final destination. Signage, tactile and color contrasting wayfinding, and clearly marked accessible pathways are a few universal design strategies that improve roadway design.

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2 User-centered design process

Another important aspect of designing for accessibility is user-centered design, which means involving the people who will use the product, environment, or system in the design process, from identifying the problem to evaluating the solution. User-centered design can help roadway design by engaging people with disabilities and other stakeholders in the planning, design, and implementation stages of roadway projects, and by collecting and incorporating their feedback, insights, and experiences. For example, user-centered design can help roadway design by conducting surveys, interviews, focus groups, and usability tests with people with disabilities, and by using participatory design methods, such as co-design workshops and prototyping sessions.

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Andrew Houghton

Nationally Recognized Accessibility Expert. Creating Innovative Disability Inclusion Solutions. Certified DOBE.
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Consider the concept of "Nothing About Us Without Us" when implementing inclusive design strategies. Nothing beats first hand experience when it comes understanding how to improve usability and functionality across the widest range of potential users. We encourage our customers to invite feedback from employee resource groups and customers with disabilities. They same notion applies to roadway design where you can engage local nonprofit organizations and Centers for Independent Living.

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3 Inclusive design strategies

A third aspect of designing for accessibility is inclusive design, which means designing for diversity and inclusion, and recognizing that people have different abilities, backgrounds, cultures, and identities. Inclusive design can enhance roadway design by addressing the social and environmental impacts of the road network on different groups and communities, and by promoting equity and justice in the distribution of benefits and burdens. For example, inclusive design can improve roadway design by considering the needs and preferences of people with disabilities from different age groups, genders, ethnicities, and income levels, and by ensuring that they have access to opportunities and services along the road network.

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Andrew Houghton

Nationally Recognized Accessibility Expert. Creating Innovative Disability Inclusion Solutions. Certified DOBE.
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It is important to note that lack of access to transportation remains one of the largest barriers for people with disabilities to live healthy, productive and inclusive lives, even more so for those living in rural areas. You can't talk about inclusive strategies in road design without mentioning accessible and affordable transportation. We also can't forget that improving inclusive design alongside roadways allows individuals to walk or wheel barrier free using assistive devices such as a wheelchair, walker or cane.

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4 Innovative design solutions

A final aspect of designing for accessibility is innovative design, which means exploring new and creative ways of solving problems and meeting needs, using emerging technologies, methods, and tools. Innovative design can improve roadway design by adopting and adapting novel and cutting-edge solutions that can enhance the functionality, usability, and aesthetics of the road network for people with disabilities. For example, innovative design can improve roadway design by using smart and adaptive technologies, such as sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence, to monitor and adjust traffic conditions, provide real-time information and guidance, and detect and prevent hazards and collisions.

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Andrew Houghton

Nationally Recognized Accessibility Expert. Creating Innovative Disability Inclusion Solutions. Certified DOBE.
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Emerging technologies like live step by step navigation, self driving vehicles and audible wayfinding will hopefully in the near future begin leveling the field for those of us who benefit most. But we can't forget that with inclusive design, we all win!

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Engineering Design

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How can roadway design be improved to better serve people with disabilities?

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1 Universal design principles

2 User-centered design process

3 Inclusive design strategies

4 Innovative design solutions

5 Here’s what else to consider

Engineering Design

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How can roadway design be improved to better serve people with disabilities?

1

2

3

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5

1 Universal design principles

2 User-centered design process

3 Inclusive design strategies

4 Innovative design solutions

5 Here’s what else to consider

Engineering Design

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