I am a planner in San Francisco working on some street design issues, specifically woonerf or shared street concepts in San Francisco. However, we're unexpectedly running into major design opposition from one of the city's ADA watchdogs who is wholly opposed to single-grade (i.e. no curb) shared environments for pedestrians and autos, even if auto access is severely restricted and for only the occassional commercial delivery. Essentially, he is insisting on curbs, and if no curbs, then would require that unsightly yellow tactile rubber strip of "truncated domes" delineating the official "sidewalk" from the "roadway" to warn the blind of the presence of a "roadway." He seems to be resistant to the notion of a shared space. I am looking for any and all examples of shared roadways/woonerf around the United States, (California would be great) and any experience or advice you could share about overcoming this ADA obstacle. Thank you.
joshua.switzky@sfgov.org
joshua.switzky@sfgov.org