ADA Compliant Amusement Rides - Technical Requirements
Amusement rides at Title II and Title III facilities must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This article will discuss the ADA technical requirements for amusement rides in State and local government facilities, public accommodations, and commercial facilities. Scoping requirements for amusement rides will be covered in another article. 2010 ADA Standard 234 covers the primary scoping requirements and Standard 1002 covers the technical requirements. The photo on the right is representative of an amusement ride.
But first some definitions from 2010 ADA Standard 106.5.
Amusement ride – A system that moved persons through a fixed course within a defined area for the purpose of amusement.
Amusement ride seat – A seat that is built-in or mechanically fastened to an amusement ride intended to be occupied by one of more passengers.
Amusement Attraction - Any facility, or portion of a facility, located within an amusement park or theme park which provides amusement without the use of an amusement device. Amusement attractions include, but are not limited to, fun houses, barrels, and other attractions without seats.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
2010 ADA Standard 1002 is the primary source of technical requirements for amusement rides.
2010 ADA Standard 1002.2, [Amusement Rides] Accessible Routes, states, “Accessible routes serving amusement rides shall comply with [2010 ADA Standards] Chapter 4.” Requirements in Chapter 4 include route slope, width, surface conditions, etc. The graphic below is representative of an accessible route to an amusement ride.
There are two exceptions for the amusement ride route requirement.
In load or unload areas and on amusement rides, where compliance with Standard 405.2 (ramp slope) is not structurally or operationally feasible, ramp slope shall be permitted to be 1:8 (12.5%) maximum. Normally the maximum slope on a ramp is 1:12, or 8.33%.
In load or unload areas and on amusement rides, handrails provided along walking surfaces complying with Standard 403 (walking surfaces) and required on ramps complying with Standard 405 (ramps) shall not be required to comply with Standard 505 (handrails) where compliance is not structurally or operationally feasible.
2010 ADA Standard 1002.3 Load and Unload Areas, states, “A turning space complying with [Standards] 304.2 and 304.3 shall be provided in load and unload areas.” The graphic below is representative of the options for turning spaces.
Wheelchair spaces in amusement rides must comply with 2010 ADA Standard 1002.4. Wheelchair spaces in amusement rides should not be confused with the clear space required on a load/unload area. A wheelchair space in an amusement ride is the floor space within the ride intended for use by patrons using a wheelchair.
2010 ADA Standard 1002.4.1, [Wheelchair Spaces in Amusement Rides] Floor or Ground Surface, states, “The floor or ground surface of wheelchair spaces shall be stable and firm.” Note that the requirement for slip resistant is not listed here.
2010 ADA Standard 1002.4.2, [Wheelchair Spaces in Amusement Rides] Slope, states, “The floor or ground surface of wheelchair spaces shall have a slope not steeper than 1:48 [2.08%] when in the load and unload position.” So the wheelchair space should be basically flat with just a little slope allowed for water drainage when in the load or unload position. The floor slope does not have a limitation when the amusement ride is not in the load or unload position.
2010 ADA Standard 1002.4.3, [Wheelchair Spaces in Amusement Rides] Gaps, states, “Floors of amusement rides with wheelchair spaces and floors of load and unload areas shall be coordinated so that, when amusement rides are at rest in the load and unload position, the vertical difference between the floors [elevation] shall be within plus or minus 5/8 inches (16 mm) and the horizontal gap shall be 3 inches (75 mm) maximum under normal passenger load conditions.” The graphic below is representative of this Standard for the maximum allowed difference between floor elevations.
The graphic below is representative of this Standard for the maximum horizontal gap of 3 inches between the load/unload area and the floor of the amusement ride.
An exception to Standard 1002.4.3 is where compliance is not operationally or structurally feasible, ramps, bridge plates, or similar devices complying with the applicable requirements of 36 CFR 1192.83(c) shall be provided. An example of a bridge plate is shown below.
Federal Regulation 36 CFR 1192.83(c), ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Transportation Vehicles - Light Rail Vehicles and Systems - Mobility Aid Accessibility, includes provisions for bridge plates and ramps that can be used at gaps between amusement rides and floors of load and unload areas. The requirements for this federal regulations are as follows:
(c) Vehicle ramp or bridge plate -
Design load. Ramps or bridge plates 30 inches or longer shall support a load of 600 pounds, placed at the centroid of the ramp or bridge plate distributed over an area of 26 inches by 26 inches, with a safety factor of at least 3 based on the ultimate strength of the material. Ramps or bridge plates shorter than 30 inches shall support a load of 300 pounds.
Ramp surface. The ramp or bridge plate surface shall be continuous and slip resistant, shall not have protrusions from the surface greater than 1/4 inch, shall have a clear width of 30 inches, and shall accommodate both four-wheel and three-wheel mobility aids.
Ramp threshold. The transition from roadway or station platform and the transition from vehicle floor to the ramp or bridge plate may be vertical without edge treatment up to 1/4 inch. Changes in level between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1:2.
Ramp barriers. Each side of the ramp or bridge plate shall have barriers at least 2 inches high to prevent mobility aid wheels from slipping off.
Slope. Ramps or bridge plates shall have the least slope practicable. If the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is 3 inches or less above the station platform a maximum slope of 1:4 is permitted; if the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is 6 inches or less, but more than 3 inches, above the station platform a maximum slope of 1:6 is permitted; if the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is 9 inches or less, but more than 6 inches, above the station platform a maximum slope of 1:8 is permitted; if the height of the vehicle floor, under 50% passenger load, from which the ramp is deployed is greater than 9 inches above the station platform a slope of 1:12 shall be achieved. Folding or telescoping ramps are permitted provided they meet all structural requirements of this section. [Note that there is no maximum change of elevation with a ramp.]
Attachment Requirement. When in use for boarding or alighting, the ramp or bridge plate shall be attached to the vehicle, or otherwise prevented from moving such that it is not subject to displacement when loading or unloading a heavy power mobility aid and that any gaps between vehicle and ramp or bridge plate, and station platform and ramp or bridge plate, shall not exceed 5/8 inch.
Exception. Ramps or bridge plates which are attached to, and deployed from, station platforms are permitted in lieu of vehicle devices provided they meet the displacement requirements of paragraph (c)(6)(i) of this section.
Stowage. A compartment, securement system, or other appropriate method shall be provided to ensure that stowed ramps or bridge plates, including portable ramps or bridge plates stowed in the passenger area, do not impinge on a passenger's wheelchair or mobility aid or pose any hazard to passengers in the event of a sudden stop.
Handrails. If provided, handrails shall allow persons with disabilities to grasp them from outside the vehicle while starting to board, and to continue to use them throughout the boarding process, and shall have the top between 30 inches and 38 inches above the ramp surface. The handrails shall be capable of withstanding a force of 100 pounds concentrated at any point on the handrail without permanent deformation of the rail or its supporting structure. The handrail shall have a cross-sectional diameter between 1 1/4 inches and 1 1/2 inches or shall provide an equivalent grasping surface, and have eased edges with corner radii of not less than 1/8 inch. Handrails shall not interfere with wheelchair or mobility aid maneuverability when entering or leaving the vehicle.
An example of a ramp between the loading/unloading area and the amusement ride is shown below. The ramp must be continuous, slip resistant, at least 30 inches wide, no protrusion greater than 1/4 inch, edges in the direction of travel not greater than 1/2 inch vertical with the top 1/4 inch beveled, 2 inch [minimum] barriers on each side of the plate, a slope maximum based on the change of elevation, attached in a way to prevent movement when loading or unloading, stow-capable so as to prevent injury, and accessible handrails, if provided.
2010 ADA Standard 1002.4.4 covers requirements for clearances for wheelchair spaces in amusement rides. Exceptions for these clearances are as follows:
Where provided, securement devices shall be permitted to overlap required clearances. Securement devices can include bars that rotate down across the front of patrons to keep them securely in their seats on the amusement ride.
Wheelchair spaces shall be permitted to be mechanically or manually repositioned.
Wheelchair spaces shall not be required to comply with Standard 307.4, which limits protruding object below 80 inches above the finished floor or ground. This exception applies to the ride devices, not to circulation areas or accessible routes in the queue lines or the load and unload areas.