Boardwalks and viewing platforms

Equal access
Requirements for the integration of equal access for all users
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) defines ‘premises’ as the whole of the built environment and includes existing buildings, new or proposed buildings, transport systems, car parks, pathways, and public parks and gardens.
Note: Consult an access consultant accredited by the Association of Consultants in Access Australia (ACAA).
Elements required for equal access
- Embellishments must be designed in accordance with AS 1428 Design for access and mobility.
- Design boardwalks and viewing platforms which comply for design dimensions and installation provisions with AS 1428.4.1:2009 Design for access and mobility Part 1: General requirements for access - New building work.
- Consider both the beginning and the end of a journey, together with a continuous accessible path of travel (CAPT) through an environment.
- Deck planks must run perpendicular to the direction of travel to avoid “tramlining” of wheeled devices.
- Install seats off the path of travel (500 mm minimum offset), at intervals to provide rest opportunities (recommended 60 m intervals). Consider a wide range of abilities and seat heights.
- Install equal access shelters (sufficient circulation space for wheelchairs and extra height tables to allow wheechair access under) over viewing platforms to provide sun protection.
- Avoid finished height difference between a concrete slab and adjoining surfaces to prevent trip hazards and to prevent ‘tramlining’ of pram, bicycle and wheelchair wheels.
Kerb (edge restraint)
- Provides delineation for people who are blind (white cane users) and people with low vision.
- Restrains bicycles, strollers and wheeled mobility devices such as scooters.
- Recommend edge restraints have a minimum 30% luminance contrast with the boardwalk or deck surface.
- Install kerb both sides. Consider that where the edge of a low boardwalk joins soft sand or garden bed, wheeled mobility devices can become bogged or the occupant can be tipped out.
Handrails
- Assist older people and disabled people.
- Guide people with low vision.
Leaning rails
- Provide support and rest opportunities and to assist people with limited mobility.
Balustrade and baluster infill panel
- Protects people from the risk of falls.
Deck abutment of surfaces
- Deck surface construction tolerances relative to adjacent surfaces are to be no greater than:
- 3.0 mm vertical or;
- 5.0 mm vertical for bevelled or rounded edges.
- Maximum 10 mm gap in decking boards (after shrinkage).
- Ensure boardwalks and viewing platforms connect to a continuous accessible path of travel (CAPT) with a smooth transition.
Visual/sensory wayfinding
- For people with a vision impairment, provide a minimum 30% luminance contrast between objects and the background they are viewed against, for ease of identification.
- Where luminance contrast may not be achieved (such as grey aluminium furniture on grey concrete), luminance contrast can be addressed by introducing colour into the ground surface providing a minimum 30% luminance contrast with the embellishment base, resulting in the embellishment being more visible for people who have low vision.
- Consider designing nodes with a contrasting coloured concrete, or a variation in surface texture, to enable people with a disability to identify the location of embellishments along a pathway.
This component is currently in development