ODOT continues progress on improving transportation system accessibility

May 12, 2020

For more information, contact Jill Pearson (jill.l.pearson@odot.state.or.us), 503-930-6193.

SALEM -- In 2019, ODOT continued to progress on its settlement agreement commitments, stakeholder outreach and furthering our work on curb ramp pilot projects at select locations on or along the state highway system, ensuring they meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. On May 12, 2020 we released our third annual report, required as part of the agreement. You can find the report on our website or you can receive an alternate format by calling ODOT’s ADA hotline at 855-540-6655.

Highlights

• ODOT staff honed standards and processes to improve rates of compliance in curb ramp remediation.
• The ODOT Construction Section revamped inspection training and certification.
• In 2019, ODOT work made 1,003 non-compliant curb ramps compliant. In the coming years, that annual number will increase significantly.
• As of 2019, ODOT allocated $4.27 million of an initial $5 million for curb ramp and associated pedestrian signal remediation at locations the plaintiff identified as a priority.

Public Outreach

ODOT engaged widely both within the organization and externally to share details of the Settlement Agreement, new technical guidance, how ODOT interprets accessibility guidelines, our work with the accessibility consultant, and plans for curb ramp construction. We made presentations to more than 38 groups in 2019.

“We continue to lean into our commitments,” said Mac Lynde, Deputy Administrator of the Delivery and Operations Division of ODOT. “As we, and our consultants and contractors, grow our knowledge of how to build curb ramps effectively and efficiently, our ability to meet those commitments increases. I’m proud of the great work our staff is and will do to ensure everyone has access to our system,” said Lynde. We took many other actions to improve accessibility including:

• Evaluating comments, questions, concerns, or requests (CQCR) thoroughly and in a timely manner, keeping the person who made the submission informed along the way. Of the 54 CQCRs received in 2019, 63% were resolved, while work continues in 2020 on resolutions for the remainder.
• Continuing work with our accessibility consultant to develop and review policies, practices, and procedures to ensure we are following applicable standards.
• Adjusting work zones as necessary to make getting through or around a project as easy as possible.
• To achieve our goal of continuous improvement, we reached out to other jurisdictions including other state DOTs in an effort to share best practices in applying national standards.

Moving Forward

As ODOT continues the work to deliver the needed curb ramps across the state, 2020 marks a significant increase in the effort and investment to meet the settlement agreement. This increase in production will continue at a higher rate in future years. The 2017 inventory established the baseline for curb ramp remediation targets of 30% (7770) by 2022; 75% (19,424) by 2027 and 100% by 2032. Building on the work through 2018, ODOT remediated 1003 curb ramps in 2019, for a cumulative total of 1,666 toward the 2022 milestone. The initial pace of remediation has been deliberate and calculated to increase over time. That forecast is shown in the following figure.

Report for 2019, Figure 1: ODOT Curb Ramp Remediation, 2018-2022

ODOT’s Dropbox page contains numerous video and still images that detail training, assessment, and construction of new curb ramps.

ODOT’s website has details of the settlement agreement with AOCIL.

COVID-19 Impacts

COVID-19 has added complexities to how we and our contractors conduct the work of curb ramp remediation, especially the social distancing component of the governor’s Executive Order 12-20. We will continue to find ways of doing the work while also complying with efforts to slow the spread of the disease while maintaining the health and safety of our crews and the public.