U of U Capstone Students Engineering Accessibility at Wasatch Elementary

At the University of Utah, Civil & Construction Engineering students engage in hands-on, impactful projects during their senior capstone course. This year, our students took on a critical real-world challenge—developing engineered solutions to improve accessibility at Wasatch Elementary, one of Salt Lake City's oldest schools.

Addressing Accessibility at Wasatch Elementary

Following the closure of a nearby school, Wasatch Elementary saw an increase in student enrollment, making accessibility improvements more pressing than ever. Two major areas require urgent attention:

The Historic Pedestrian Tunnel Under South Temple Street – This tunnel connects the main campus to the playground but lacks accessibility for students with mobility needs.
The Main School Entrance – An additional ADA-compliant entry route is needed to ensure all students have safe and equitable access to the school.

Last semester, our capstone students conducted a comprehensive site survey, carefully assessing the existing conditions and identifying key constraints. They evaluated multiple factors, including sustainability, cost-efficiency, and equity, to develop practical and impactful solutions. With a focus on accessibility and long-term feasibility, students applied their creativity and technical expertise to propose designs that prioritize both the needs of Wasatch Elementary students and faculty while also considering the broader community.

A key component of our capstone experience is enabling students to effectively communicate engineering solutions to stakeholders—a key skill for successful engineers. On Tuesday, Feb. 20, students had the opportunity to showcase their proposed solutions on-site at Wasatch Elementary. Teachers, elementary students, and local stakeholders attended the poster presentation session, engaging with our students and their innovative designs.

Some examples of the proposed solutions included a ramp on Margaret’s Lane, which was recommended as the best alternative for improving the school’s entrance. This ramp ensures superior accessibility and ADA compliance, while also providing a sustainable and long-lasting solution that requires minimal maintenance compared to a wheelchair lift. Another proposed solution focused on improving the South Temple crossing by implementing a street-level crosswalk with a traffic light. This approach meets ADA accessibility standards while preserving the existing tunnel for general use. Additionally, it offers a quick and cost-effective implementation with minimal construction impact on the site, although it requires faculty supervision for student crossings.

This capstone project exemplifies the power of engineering education at the U—giving students direct experience in solving complex, community-driven challenges. By integrating academic knowledge with real-world application, our students graduate prepared to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact in the field of engineering.

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