This is a picture of an ADDAG compliant curb ramp. Depending on the jurisdiction and/or plaintiff’s expert, it could be identified as noncompliant because the curb ramp width does not match the crosswalk width. The reasoning is the accessible path is the crosswalk width. The ramp sides, or flares, are […]
What am I looking for? First, I look at the construction. The common in-pavement structures are sanitary sewer manholes, stormwater inlets and catch basins, and utility vaults such as electric and telephone/fiber optic. Concrete pipe is common construction. Older manholes can be constructed of brick and mortar. At the top of the structure can […]
We are often asked, “When is the best time to seal coat a new asphalt concrete pavement?” Our thinking has evolved from four to five years to one or two years after paving. The reasoning is the early seal coat application seals the surface porosity before too much oxidation has […]
From a cursory glance of the photograph, you could think mud had dropped from a pickup truck. An experienced engineer see that the light-colored markings are mineral fines (the powdery portion of crushed rock) being leeched out of the pavement structure by subsurface water pressure. The source could be, excess […]
The above photograph is of a non-compliant curb ramp where the side slopes are too steep and there is not a flat landing area. When looking at it more closely we determined a standard perpendicular ramp wouldn’t fit. The sidewalk is 8 feet wide and installing a typical curb ramp […]
A candid photograph of Tom trying to figure out where he is.
The photograph presents a nonstandard striping layout. A reasonable person would measure the stall and access-way from center of the double stall striping to the center of the next stall stripe. It appears this is a 9-foot stall with a 5-foot access-way. Depending on the state (and the inspector) the […]
Here is an attractive traffic calming installation using differing natural materials to make a visual barrier; create a rough texture with a slight hump; and increase road noise. This has a nicer appearance than a yellow speed bump or hump. A raised crosswalk is another calming technique. The raised sidewalk […]
The typical pavement is a roadway – a long, relatively narrow strip of pavement which drains to structures along the curbs or out towards ditches. Water is not likely to remain on the pavement surface for long periods. Even water that gets into the pavement layer through cracks will flow […]
Why create a tripping hazard that has to be highlighted in yellow paint? A better solution would have been to increase the ramp width to the building and eliminate the tripping hazard. Zimmer Consultants Photograph