Celebrating a Milestone: The Adoption of PROWAG for Safer, Accessible Streets
The long-awaited endorsement of the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) by the U.S. Access Board ushers in a new era of inclusivity and safety on American streets.
An Overdue Update
After more than two decades in the making, the adoption of PROWAG is a significant stride towards augmenting the mobility and rights of individuals with disabilities across the United States. This initiative fills a crucial regulatory void left by previous guidelines concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) commends the U.S. Access Board on this crucial step and is eager to collaborate in ensuring urban areas across the country become models of accessibility.
“PROWAG represents an important step forward in advancing the rights and mobility of people with disabilities across the United States.”
Guiding Accessibility on Streets and Sidewalks
PROWAG delineates new accessibility requisites aiming to make streets and sidewalks more navigable for everyone. Some of the key requirements include:
Ensuring sidewalks and shared-use paths are accessible via pedestrian routes for those with disabilities.
Installation of accessible pedestrian signals with audible and vibrotactile features to aid pedestrians affected by blindness or low vision.
Incorporating curb ramps and detectable warning surfaces at street crossings, along with wheelchair-accessible transit stops.
These guidelines are essential for enabling people of all abilities to access jobs, schools, community institutions, and other vital resources, driving communities towards a thriving future.
“Creating accessible rights-of-way is critical to ensure people of all abilities can travel to jobs, schools, community institutions and all the other resources communities need to thrive.”
Towards a Comprehensive Accessibility
Although a giant leap, PROWAG alone won’t solve all accessibility and safety challenges on U.S. streets. There’s still a room for improvement, particularly in adopting modern, life-saving street design treatments and ensuring the construction of essential pedestrian facilities like sidewalks. The road to creating equitable cities mandates a concerted effort in enhancing sidewalk, bike, and transit networks, thus fulfilling ADA's vision of safety, sustainability, and accessibility.
“Accessible cities are safer, fairer, and more equitable cities.”
NACTO’s Role in Implementing PROWAG
NACTO, in close alliance with its member cities and transit agencies, is actively engaged in implementing and supplementing the new PROWAG guidelines. By convening and supporting members in actualizing these guidelines on their streets, and placing a particular focus on accessibility in the forthcoming update to NACTO’s Urban Bikeway Design Guide, the association aims to ensure city streets are wholly accessible to everyone.
A Step Towards Inclusive Urban Landscapes
The endorsement of PROWAG is more than a policy achievement; it’s a commitment towards building cities that embrace everyone. As government bodies, non-profits, and advocacy groups rally behind the implementation of PROWAG, the journey towards safer, accessible, and equitable urban environments is well underway, promising a brighter, inclusive future for all citizens.
The anticipation now turns towards the collaborative efforts that will see the successful implementation of PROWAG, setting a precedent for inclusivity and safety in urban design, hence fostering communities everyone is proud to be part of.