Robert Ferrin, CAPP: In 2022, the U.S. Access Board published draft ADA accessibility guidance related to Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). This guidance addresses spatial, technology, and programmatic accessibility considerations associated with the implementation of EVSE for on and off-street parking facilities. Although final decision-making has yet to be published as of March 2023, this guidance document is one resource, among others, for parking practitioners implementing EVSE in their operation. This guidance document is under development by the U.S. Access Board but covers several factors, including:

• Off-Street Parking. ADA EVSE space location, sizing, access aisle, and clear floor or ground space requirements are covered in this section. One significant challenge in designing an EVSE off-street parking space is implementing the access aisle due to the various charging port locations on the electric vehicle itself.
• On-Street Parking. EVSE should be installed on top or behind the curb, as close to the curb’s edge as possible, and placed at the end of the block or the closest curb ramp.
• Clear Floor or Ground Space. For the clear floor or ground spaces in front of EVSE, the area must be free of changes in level, not sloped more than 1:48, and clear of obstructions. This can be challenging in a busy urban environment.
• Equipment. The connector cord, card reader, electronic user interface, switches, and buttons should all be ADA-accessible. Operable parts must be above 15 inches from the clear floor/ground space but no less than 48 inches. Cable management should be implemented to aid in meeting these requirements.
• Number of Spaces and Signage. The current draft guidance does not stipulate the required number of ADA-accessible EVSE spaces. However, the May 2016 Guide to the ADA Standards: Parking Spaces suggests using the scoping table in §208.2 to determine an appropriate number.

Parking practitioners should look for updates from the U.S. Access Board, as these draft guidelines will be finalized soon.

Benito O. Perez, AICP, CTP, CPM, CAPP: The electrification revolution is upon us, and many things are still being determined: where charging facilities are placed/co-located with other land uses, maintenance and operations, and interoperability. With current charging technology taking time, it will be crucial to think of co-location so that customers, regardless of ability, can access community amenities while they wait for their vehicles to charge. On the other side of the equation, there is the issue of charging cords and accessible movement of people on the curb. Cities are wrestling with that challenge, facing the extension cords from homes and businesses across the sidewalk to the vehicle. That can be a serious tripping hazard and obstacle for persons with mobility challenges. There are efforts to explore a minimal footprint charging device (the size of a bollard) for the urban environment to wireless technology in the street. However, the technology is still nascent, and there will need to be a continued push for wireless charging capability. At the same time, vehicles are in motion to continue advancing the principle that the curb is for people, not solely for vehicle storage.

Raymond Humbert: Parking accessibility should not be an afterthought. It is up to us as parking professionals to be able to look over the horizon and put in place those things that provide equity for all.

Older garages may have height limitations for specialized vehicles, shifting the demand for space to accommodate EV vans to newer garages and parking lots to provide the parking spaces to manage current and future demand. We gathered a team to identify spaces that could be designed to accommodate this segment of the population. Our parking and transportation team here at Arizona State University works as a group of professionals with diverse skill sets from our Architect’s Office, Capital Programs Group, and Facilities Maintenance Group to find ways to plan. Whether designing new garages or lots or redeveloping existing ones, we work to integrate EV charging capabilities with accessible parking spaces. We also ensure that the number and layout of accessible spaces comply with ADA requirements and match parkers’ needs and expectations.

This segment of our driving population may be currently small; however, as EV ownership increases, including among those who utilize accessible parking spaces, this parking equity matter will become more prominent, so it is worth considering the issue in the planning phase now.

Brett Munkel, CAPP: Charger height and improper placement of wheel stops are two of the most common shortcomings I’ve observed, both of which can be easily addressed if done before installation.

Kevin Waters, AIA: Providing accessibility for EV charging spaces generally follows the same design approach as providing accessibility for standard parking. Except for some minor differences in signage and pavement markings, the spatial requirements for accessible EV charging spaces should be the same as standard accessible parking. An additional design requirement for accessible EV charging spaces is the location of the EV charger, which requires an accessible path from the accessible parking space to the EV charger and generally wants to be at the same elevation as the accessible EV charging stall and have the prescribed clear floor space at the EV charger. When locating the EV chargers at accessible EV spaces, careful consideration must be given to preventing charging cables from potentially creating a barrier across accessible pathways.

Wrap-Up

The transportation industry is changing, and how we approach accessibility is changing with it. Special thanks to these market leaders who have given their perspectives on the challenges and best design practices to address accessible design in a changing world. What’s your experience been? Have you developed guidelines or best design practices you’d like to share? Please give us your feedback and thoughts by posting in our IPMI Forum Community or emailing one of our authors. We would love to hear from you! ◆