Parking and Paths of Travel Measurements and Regulations
How to Measure Slopes and Grades for ADA Parking and Walkways Made Simple
Step 1. Obtaining and using a digital level.
In measuring ADA slopes and grades on your own, first purchase a quality 24 inch digital level. Do not purchase a 12″ version or one greater than 30″. The 24″ is the one generally used. Next, read the instructions and learn the difference between the “degree of angle” and the “percent of grade.” Generally, the percent of grade will show the % sign on the display of the digital level. Next, make sure it stays on the % setting when taking measurement of an ADA slope. Next, calibrate the level by placing it on a flat surface (usually found inside a building) so the bubble is exactly in the middle and the percent (%) should show zero. Usually there is a button to push to set it to zero after it is on a flat surface.
Step 2. Know the ADA Laws and Regulations regarding grade and slope measurements.
Measuring ADA Slopes and Grades in Parking Spaces, Access Aisles, and Paths of Travel.
No more than a 2% slope is allowed in all areas within an ADA parking space, and also in all areas within the 18 foot by 8 foot (or 18 foot by 5 foot) loading zone next to the parking space (the one with the diagonal lines – they call that area an “Access Aisle”). As a side note, the same is true in the small area in front of the entry doors to a business (typically the 4′ x 4′ area next to the front door of the business where the area needs to be flat (i.e. no more than 2% slope in any direction).
By way of contrast, the “Path of Travel” is the walkway from the Access Aisle to the front entry of a business. Additional Paths of Travel include such pathways or walkways from a city sidewalk to the front entry of a business or walkways connecting two or more separate businesses within a shopping center.
So, if any part of the Access Aisle has a slope greater than 2.0% that would be a violation, no matter in what direction you placed the digital level. If you place the digital level in all directions (north, south, east or west), if any of the measurements are greater than 2% that would likely be a violation. Again, we are only discussing the loading area next to the ADA parking space (the area with the diagonal lines called an Access Aisle.
Outside the Access Aisle and ADA parking space itself, the measurements are different. For example, in the walkway after leaving the Access Aisle and going to the front door of the business, you can have up to about 5% as you walk straight ahead to the business, but no more than 2% side to side, as if you are on a boat and you don’t want the boat to lean sideways more than 2%. Again, that walkway outside the Access Aisle to the front door of the business is called a Path of Travel.