Sidewalk Materials - Recommendations for Lexington Center, 2006

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oto Sidewalk Materials - Recommendations for Lexington Center May 15, 2006 Prepared By: Lexington Commission on Disability Addressed To: ❖ Lexington Board of Selectmen ❖ Lexington Design Advisory Committee ❖ Lexington Center Committee ❖ Sidewalk Committee ❖ Department of Public Works Introduction: Sidewalks serve as pathways that connect us with our town resources, our market places, our places of employment, and our businesses. The materials chosen for sidewalk construction are of crucial concern to our citizens and visitors with disabilities. Uneven surfaces are hazardous for everyone, but especially for the elderly, those in wheelchairs, those with walking problems, and people pushing strollers. Everyone needs to be able to traverse safely so that seamless inclusion and participation for all regardless of disability is a given, not just a presumption. The Commission on Disability is charged with the duty to provide the Town of Lexington with technical advice concerning how to meet the needs of its disabled citizens. A comparison of some of the issues and concerns about different construction materials for sidewalks follows so that informed decisions can be carefully made that ensure public safety, which surely must be the first and foremost consideration. The report from the Lexington Design Advisory Committee is part of this review as well as discussions with other town committees and disability experts. The following report covers three areas: 1.) public safety; 2.) concerns about costs including proper installation, ongoing preservation, maintenance and replacement; and, 3.) direct responses to the report from the Lexington Design Advisory Committee. Public Safety Concerns for People with Disabilities: Concrete sidewalks along the south side of Massachusetts Avenue are in need of repair and have become quite hazardous to pedestrians. In order to discuss access for the disabled, we need to examine needs and access factors, including even surfaces, slip resistance, vibration, and rolling resistance. A permanent or transient disability can happen to anyone at any point in his or her life. The number of disabled citizens is estimated at being 20%, and approximately 85% of the population will be considered disabled at some point in their lives. Individuals with mobility impairments include those who use wheelchairs, crutches, canes, walkers, orthotics, and prosthetic limbs. Characteristics common to people with mobility limitations include substantially