36 CFR Parts 1190 and 1191 ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines - Preamble (Discussion of Comments and Changes)

Comment. The proposed rule specified that car and van spaces be at least 8 feet wide and that access aisles be at least 5 feet wide for car spaces and at least 8 feet wide for van spaces. These specifications are consistent with the original ADAAG. However, that document also recognized an alternative "universal" design under which all spaces are designed to be accessible for vans or cars by incorporating additional space in the parking space instead of the access aisle. Under this design,parking spaces are at least 11 feet wide and access aisles at least 5 feet wide. Commenters requested that this design be recognized in final rule, at least for the portion of spaces required to be van accessible. Comments pointed out certain benefits of the alternative design, such as access aisles that are less likely to be mistaken for another parking space.

Response. The final rule includes specifications for alternative van parking spaces based on the "universal" design specifications (502.2). Van spaces are required to be at least 11 feet wide and to have an access aisle at least 5 feet wide. An exception allows van spaces to be 8 feet wide where the access aisle is at least 8 feet wide, which is consistent with the specifications of the proposed rule and the original ADAAG.