Arts Center Rail Station Accessibility Assessment

Transcription

1 Arts Center Rail Station Accessibility Assessment Joel Anders, Arnaud Huguet, and Alex Poznanski 25 July 2012

2 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY... 1 MISSION STATEMENT... 2 OVERVIEW... 2 CROSSWALKS AND STRIPING... 3 SIDEWALKS... 6 AMENITIES... 8 STAIRWAYS, ESCALATORS AND ELEVATORS FENCING AND OTHER ENCLOSURES BUS AREA, KISS RIDE, PARK RIDE AND TAXI SIGNAGE

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Crosswalks and Striping The crosswalks within and directly adjacent to the station premises are lacking truncated domes on the curb cut ramps to assist visually impaired individuals. Some of these crosswalks are lacking ramps all together. The crosswalks on surrounding approaches such as 14 th Street, Peachtree Street and West Peachtree Street are mostly in very good condition, and should serve as a model of what pedestrian infrastructure surrounding a transit station should be like. Sidewalks On station premises, sidewalks and floors were generally in good condition. No major tripping hazards were found. Sidewalks on the approaches leading to the station are in very good condition. Amenities The station has many bike racks in different areas throughout the premises. Benches and trash bins can be found inside the station, as well as on the surrounding approaches. Fencing and Other Enclosures It is recommended that an enclosure be built around the bypass emergency exhaust at the north end of the station premises in order to keep unauthorized persons out of this area. Staircases, Elevators and Escalators An escalator located between the platform and concourse is undergoing maintenance and is out of service. Bus Area, Kiss Ride, Park Ride and Taxi The canopy above the bus waiting area is leaking in many places. It is unsightly and inconvenient for patrons. Signage Overall, the station has decent way finding signage. Signage directing patrons to the station from surrounding approaches was lacking. 1

4 MISSION STATEMENT The purpose of this project is to assess the current conditions of MARTA rail stations and their surroundings. The team will use the assessments to present recommendations of ways to improve pedestrian and bicycle accessibility to rail stations, as well as the overall experience that patrons encounter while using MARTA. OVERVIEW Field work was performed at Arts Center Station on the morning of July 6, It was sunny and hot outside. There are several issues of concern occurring within the station and on the station premises, such as leaking and damaged floors. The approaches to the station, however, are in very good condition. The nearby pedestrian infrastructure facilitates relatively easy access to the station, as the part of Midtown which the station is located in is very pedestrian friendly. 2

5 CROSSWALKS AND STRIPING ON MARTA PROPERTY Both ramps of the crosswalk leading patrons between the bus waiting area and 15 th Street contain sizeable vertical gaps. According to the 2012 ADA Standards 303.3, the maximum vertical gap allowed without a bevel ramp is ¼ inch. Both gaps were greater than this. See Figure 1 for an example. The sidewalk shown in Figure 2 crosses a bus entrance area, but lacks a painted crosswalk. Figure 1: Interface between ramp and crosswalk; large vertical gap (see #42 diagrammed on the station site plan). Ensure that there are no vertical gaps in pedestrian areas that could pose tripping hazards, or impede the mobility of someone in a wheelchair. Paint a crosswalk on the sidewalk going across the bus loop entrance for the comfort and safety of pedestrians. Figure 2: The intersection between the bus loop entrance and the 15 th Street sidewalk (see #57 diagramed on the station site plan). 3

6 NOT ON MARTA PROPERTY The intersection of 15 th Street and Arts Center Way is a major pedestrian access point to the station. Several access inhibiting issues were encountered: The northern crosswalk striping is faded. In addition, both sides of the crosswalk lack truncated domes (see Figure 3). The southwest corner of the intersection lacks a curb cut, despite a crosswalk leading to this area (see Figure 4). The southeast corner of the intersection has a curb cut ramp which is misaligned with the crosswalk. The ramp also lacks truncated domes (see Figure 5). At the intersection of 14th Street and Crescent Avenue, there is a crosswalk whose ramps lack truncated domes (see Figure 6). Figure 3: Faded striping and lack of truncated domes at the intersection of 15 th Street and Arts Center Way (see #53 diagrammed on the Google Earth area map). Figure 4: Southwest corner of the intersection of 15 th Street and Arts Center Way lacking a curb cut ramp (see #54 diagrammed on the Google Earth area map). 4

7 Figure 5: Southeast corner of the intersection of 15 th Street and Arts Center Way. Curb cut ramp is misaligned with the crosswalk, and lacks truncated domes (see #55 diagrammed on the Google Earth area map). Coordinate with the City of Atlanta in order to have these problems fixed. Repaint all faded striping. Ensure that all crosswalks lead directly to ramps which have truncated domes. Truncated domes are important because they help visually impaired pedestrians locate crosswalks. Figure 6: Curb cut ramps at the intersection of 14 th and Crescent lack truncated domes. See #69 diagrammed on the Google Earth area map. 5

8 SIDEWALKS ON MARTA PROPERTY On the station premises, sidewalks and floors in pedestrian areas are generally in good condition. No major impedances were found; however, some specific issues can be seen in the repairs brief. A recurring theme in the bus waiting area was built up material caked to the floor as a result of the leaking roof. Address the issues presented in the Floors and Tripping Hazards section of the repairs brief. NOT ON MARTA PROPERTY In the areas surrounding Arts Center Station, sidewalks were generally in very good condition. In fact, the team saw some of the finest pedestrian infrastructure surrounding a MARTA station near Arts Center. Peachtree, West Peachtree and 14 th Streets have all recently had their sidewalks renovated, and are a model as to what sidewalks in urban areas should be like. However, some of the areas closer to the station exhibited issues which should be addressed: Near the entrance to the station of Arts Center Way, there is a wooden Figure 7: West side of Arts Center Way, wooden plank nailed to the sidewalk (see #52, diagrammed on the Google Earth area map). plank which has been nailed to the sidewalk and appears to be serving no current purpose. It poses a tripping hazard for pedestrians accessing the station from this approach (see Figure 7). 6

9 On the north side of 15 th Street near the entrance to the bus bay, there is a large vertical gap in the sidewalk which poses a tripping hazard/obstacle for those accessing the station from this approach (see Figure 8). At the northeast corner of the intersection of 15 th and West Peachtree Streets, the traffic control cabinet is in the middle of the sidewalk, posing a major obstacle for pedestrians accessing the station; especially those using wheelchairs (see Figure 9). Figure 8: Tripping hazard on the 15 th Street sidewalk near the entrance to the bus bay (see #59 diagrammed on the Google Earth area map). Work with the City of Atlanta as well as GDOT to ensure that sidewalks near the station are properly maintained, and free of obstacles. Figure 9: Traffic control cabinet obstacle on the corner of 15 th and West Peachtree Streets (see #60 diagrammed on the Google Earth area map). 7

10 AMENITIES ON MARTA PROPERTY Amenities are plentiful on station premises. Both the platform and bus waiting area contain benches and trash bins. Bike racks are plentiful at this station. Nineteen racks were found, able to accommodate approximately 50 bikes. They can be seen in Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12, and Figure 13. Figure 10: Two serpentine style bike racks (from left to right, #39 diagrammed on the station site plan and #64 diagrammed on the concourse level diagram, respectively). Figure 11: Two sets of bollard style bike racks. From top to bottom, #62 and #66 diagrammed on the station site plan, respectively. 8

11 Figure 12: Three spiral style bike racks. See #51 diagrammed on the Lombardy Way plaza plan. Figure 13: Six bicycle U racks. See #63 diagrammed on the station site plan. The racks all appear to be in working order. No signs were found in the station giving patrons directions to the many bike racks. Consider placing signs inside the station which direct patrons to bike racks. NOT ON MARTA PROPERTY Amenities such as trash bins and sitting areas are plentiful in the areas surrounding the station, especially on Peachtree and West Peachtree Streets. Bike racks were also observed. None. 9

12 STAIRWAYS, ESCALATORS AND ELEVATORS ON MARTA PROPERTY Aside from an escalator which was undergoing maintenance, all staircases, escalators and elevators are in working order. None. : None to report. NOT ON MARTA PROPERTY 10

13 FENCING AND OTHER ENCLOSURES ON MARTA PROPERTY At the north end of the station grounds, there is a bypass emergency exhaust. As seen in Figure 14, items are being stored in the tree branches above the exhaust. Consider fencing this area off so that unauthorized persons do not have access to it. Figure 14: Bagged items hanging from a tree above the bypass emergency exhaust. See #68 diagrammed on the station site plan. None to report. NOT ON MARTA PROPERTY 11

14 BUS AREA, KISS RIDE, PARK RIDE AND TAXI ON MARTA PROPERTY As seen in some of the photos in the repairs brief, the canopy over the bus area is leaking in many areas, and paint is peeling. This has become very unsightly and inconvenient for patrons who are waiting for buses or the Atlantic Station Shuttle. No kiss ride, park ride or taxi areas were found. Consider making the repair/replacement of the bus loop canopy a top priority. 12

15 SIGNAGE ON MARTA PROPERTY The signage within Arts Center Station is generally in good condition, and informative. However, an issue encountered is presented below: Near the east end of the main concourse inside the faregates, there are several maps which have been taped up to a wall. This is Figure 15: Maps taped to the station wall. See #26 diagrammed on the concourse level plan. an unprofessional way to present information to patrons. See Figure 15. On 15th Street, two signs which direct patrons to an ADA compliant station entrance are present. Although one of the signs is small, this is a best practice example of how to ensure that ADA compliant entrances are easily found. See Figure 16 below. Figure 16: Sequential signs directing patrons entering from 15th Street to an ADA compliant entrance. From left to right, see #43 and #56 diagrammed on the station site plan and Google Earth map, respectively. 13

16 Consider putting the maps in Figure 15 inside a display case. Continue installing signs such as the ones seen in Figure 16. Ensure that they are large enough to be seen by all patrons. NOT ON MARTA PROPERTY There is a lack of signage on the approaches surrounding the station in order to direct patrons to it. Consider installing MARTA signs on the sidewalk directing people from popular nearby destinations such as the Woodruff Arts Center to the station. Such signs can be found outside Peachtree Center and Midtown station. See Figure 17 below for an example: Figure 17: An example of a sign that could be painted onto the sidewalk in order to assist patrons in finding the station. 14