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Curb Ramp

ELM-CRP-03
Recommended Element

Curb Ramp

A sloped transition cut into a curb, providing an accessible path between the sidewalk and street surface for wheelchair users, strollers, and anyone unable to step up or down a vertical curb face.

#Why this pattern exists

A curb that provides no ramped transition is an absolute barrier to wheelchair users and others who cannot step over a vertical curb face; this pattern exists because accessible curb transitions are both a baseline civil rights requirement and a foundational usability feature at every crossing point on the network.

#Key considerations

  • Slope must stay within accessible design limits; a ramp too steep defeats its own purpose1
  • Landing space at the top and bottom of the ramp must be clear of obstructions and large enough for a wheelchair to maneuver
  • Detectable Warning Surface should be present at every curb ramp reaching a street, not treated as a separate, optional add-on

Detectable Warning Surface (ELM-DWS-10) (required companion element); Curb (ELM-CRB-01), Crosswalk (ELM-CRW-08) (the elements this pattern connects)

#References

  1. Legal / regulatory PROWAG (U.S. Access Board, 2023 final rule; adopted into DOT's ADA regulations effective January 17, 2025), Section R304, "Curb Ramps and Blended Transitions." Sets a 1:12 maximum running slope, a 1:48 maximum cross slope, and landing dimension and clear-area requirements.(opens in new tab)

Suggest changes to this page (opens in new tab) Text-only version Last updated September 26, 2026

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