How a car-free Beach Drive embodies universal design

Since April 2020, the National Park Service’s (NPS) decision to close Rock Creek Park’s Beach Drive to vehicular traffic has sparked debate. On July 11, NPS announced its recommendation to open the road to cars on weekdays for most of the year. Vehicles would only be excluded from Beach Drive on weekdays during the summer, in addition to weekends and holidays year-round.

A few conversations have centered on whether cars make the park more or less accessible to those with disabilities. Some argue that cars make it dangerous for people with disabilities to navigate the park, while others point out that driving may be the only way these individuals can get to the park.

The case of Beach Drive taps into the larger discussion around accessibility in cities and transportation. Urbanism and walkability go hand-in-hand, but what does a walkable city look like for those who need mobility assistance, individuals with cognitive or sensory disabilities, toddlers, and the elderly?

Even the term ‘walkable’ is in itself ableist; researchers have proposed “equitable active living potential” as an alternative term. Designing cities to meet the needs of all who live within them should be the bare minimum. Unfortunately, for the nearly 1 billion people in the world with disabilities, this is not the case.

Accessibility for cars does not equate to accessibility for people with disabilities. In fact, a 2018 study conducted by the US Department of Transportation found that workers without disabilities drive for nearly 20% more of their trips than workers with disabilities. Similarly, non-workers without disabilities drive for around 15% more of their trips than non-working individuals with disabilities.

We can look to the concept of universal design when thinking about how to ensure the built environment allows for maximum use without relying on cars.

What is universal design?

The term was coined by the founder of North Carolina State University’s Center for Universal Design, Ronald L. Mace. According to him, universal design is “the design of products and environments to be used by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.” This approach emphasizes designing areas to be accessible to everyone from the beginning, rather than adding modifications like ramps as an afterthought. Universal design aims to address the needs of those with disabilities, as well as other populations, like young children and the elderly.

Some elements of universal design are so common that we don’t realize the intent behind their inclusion, which is exactly the point. Automatic doors are one such example. Automatic doors allow individuals using mobility devices or pushing a stroller to easily enter the building, as well as people who may have trouble opening the door for themselves, like small children. However, their benefit extends beyond that. People carrying groceries or pushing a cart are able to get in the store without having to worry about opening the door themselves.

Curb cuts, which are prevalent all across DC, are another example of universal design. These sloped parts of the street were included with the intention of allowing for people with mobility devices to better use the sidewalk, although their reach has extended far beyond that. People pushing strollers, dragging luggage, or riding a skateboard can all benefit from having the option of using a curb cut.

Curb cuts also usually have a section of brightly colored, bumpy pavement. Although it may seem like a random aspect of design, this tactile paving is meant to alert pedestrians with visual impairments that the sidewalk is about to end. The bright colors can indicate to people with some vision that they are about to enter the road, while the texture communicates the message to those who use probing canes.

Beach Drive and universal design

Universal design places importance on the built environment reflecting the needs of all who wish to use it. Beach Drive was not designed to accommodate cars, pedestrians, and cyclists in harmony; the road favors cars first and foremost, whereas walking and biking paths were added as an afterthought.

From 2015-2019 Beach Drive underwent a repavement process. DCist noted that the smooth, new road “brought more speeding drivers.” Fast cars create dangerous conditions for pedestrians and bikers. A person struck by a car going 20 miles per hour has a 5% chance of fatality; raising the speed by just 10 miles per hour increases the chance of fatality to 45%.

WABA provides a map of the sections of road currently reserved for people. Areas closed to auto traffic aim to prevent people from driving through the park without utilizing it; there are still plenty of areas to park along Beach Drive. Above the Military Road Crossing, there are five different areas along the path only open to cars for parking. This makes it possible for a wide variety of individuals, such as those with disabilities or small children, to continue to fulfill their need to drive to Rock Creek Park.

Pedestrians and bikers want more space, and have even created more paths themselves. Desire paths are areas off the designated trail that have been used so many times they become an unofficial path. These are prevalent in Rock Creek Park, proving people’s desire for more recreational space. Paths and hiking trails are designed for pedestrian use, but can be inaccessible if they are crowded or unpaved.

Closing the road to cars increases accessibility by providing individuals in wheelchairs and people pushing strollers with a wide area of smooth, paved ground. Road closures free up a lot of space in general, which accommodates larger crowds. This proved helpful when social distancing went into effect during the pandemic, and continues to be beneficial by allowing walkers, runners, and bikers to use the space simultaneously.

Closing Beach Drive to cars helps Rock Creek Park more closely fit the definition of universal design. The park is meant for all to be able to safely enjoy nature. Reserving Rock Creek Park for people rather than cars allows it to fulfill this purpose and keeps it accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability.

In the words of Melissa Thompson, an academic with disabilities: “Universal design helps everybody, and harms nobody- so why is it not the default?”