What is the difference between a Curb Cut and a Pedestrian Ramp?

I have been issued this ticket 14 times along Ft. Washington in the Heights in the last 3 months and have successfully challenged it each time thanks to this site! I have used the same explanation each time which I have copied below! Always include pictureS of the intersection as well.

“According to the rules of parking, you may block a ramp at a “T” intersection where traffic is not controlled with a traffic control device including stop sign or light on the street the ramps face. At 170th and Haven there is a T intersection. There are no parallel lines/marked crosswalk. And, the lack of a traffic control device eliminates the unofficial crosswalk. I will attach pictures of the intersection to prove it is a “T” and the lack of traffic control device in addition to the diagram provided by New York City showing the legality of the spot. I bracketed the important parts of the code.

(7) Pedestrian ramps. Alongside or in a manner which obstructs a curb area which has been cut down, lowered or otherwise constructed or altered to provide access for persons with disabilities at a marked or unmarked crosswalk as defined in subdivision (b) of §4-01 of this chapter. [A person may stop, stand or park a vehicle alongside or in a manner which obstructs a pedestrian ramp not located within such crosswalk, unless otherwise prohibited.]

[Crosswalk.(i) Marked crosswalk. That part of a roadway defined by two parallel lines or highlighted by a pattern of lines (perpendicular, parallel or diagonal used either separately or in combination) that is intended to guide pedestrians into proper crossing paths.
(ii) Unmarked crosswalk. That part of a roadway, other than a marked crosswalk, which is included within the extensions of the sidewalk lines between opposite sides of the roadway at an intersection, provided that (A) the roadway crosses through the intersection rather than ending at the intersection, and/or (B) all traffic on the opposing roadway is controlled by a traffic control device.”]

For those reasons, this ticket is invalid and should not require payment as no wrongdoing has occurred.”

Hi I have a quick question about this, Larry. I am a little unclear as to where a stop sign would turn a legal pedestrian ramp spot into an illegal one. If I park on the major, one way road at the northeastern corner of a T intersection in front of a pedestrian ramp and there is a stop sign on the one way minor, one way road of the T intersection, is this legal? There are no stop signs or traffic signals on the major road at all where the car is parked. There is just the stop sign on the minor road of the T.

Hi Larry,

I was hoping you could offer some advice on a pair of tickets I got last week! Near our apartment block there is a crosswalk (at a 4-way intersection); one side of the crosswalk is only half-painted such that a car can park partly into it in order to avoid being closer than 15′ to the hydrant just down the block – at least that was my interpretation! (Picture here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2578683/crosswalk.png )

I have parked here many times without getting a ticket and so have many of my neighbors – last week I came back to find two tickets for parking in the crosswalk! I have had one dismissed for the location being incorrect but the other was upheld in an online hearing. I’m planning to go in person but I wondered whether you’d come across something like this before? Have we all been parking illegally? It seems odd that they’d cut the crosswalk in this way if so…

Thanks!

Hello.
Thank you for this work.
I have a question about a non-T intersection curb cut.
In front of FIT, on 27th between 7th and 8th, is a curb cut. There is no signage that does not allow parking in front of it nor is there any yellow or red paint on the curb. Since this is non-T street what is the rule that applies here.

I had a problem in my own town with someone just standing around not paying attention and blocking a curb cut at a street Crossing spot. Instead of excusing themselves they started an argument and went to the next street vendor during a small public event and God only knows what they said. All I was doing is crossing the street with my bike and I needed past because I was just navigating with my bike and trying to get to a nearby vendor because I’m not leaving my bike, it’s an e-bike for disabled people. Instead of excusing them self and stepping back two or three steps oh, they started an argument instead of just taking 2 seconds to just step aside and let me buy. Well, I still made it and gained access but not without an argument started by this angry couple who wasn’t paying attention and was wrongfully blocking the ramp to passers-by located. Yes, the curb cut at the end of the sidewalk at a Street crossing point serves all purposes here where I live. It serves strollers, Wheelchairs and pedestrians, even bikes that are crossing the street with the intent of pulling into a nearby business. We really need no standing signs at these specific spots because it can pose a problem for those who aren’t paying attention and obstructing traffic

Then what is the purpose of a “curb cut” if not for wheelchairs, strollers etc? and if the purpose IS for wheelchairs, why would it every be ok to park in front of them?

Thank you for your updates. Related to this topic, I have pleaded not guilty for a recent ticket I got and I was dismissed, but not based on the merit of my argument. So, I still have a question: According to the T-intersection diagram, the spots marked by green circles are legal parking spots, but according to the definition in 4-01(b), the green circles are located in an unmarked crosswalk. Is it true?