In order to propose a seismic design spectrum that includes the effect of rupture directivity in the near-fault region, this study investigates the application of equivalent pulses to the parameter attenuation relationships developed for near-fault, forward-directivity motions. Near-fault ground motions are represented by equivalent pulses with different waveforms defined by a small number of parameters (peak acceleration, A, and velocity V; and pulse period, Tv). Dimensionless ratios between these parameters (e.g., ATv/V, VTv/D) and response spectral shapes and amplitudes are examined for different pulses to gain insight on their dependence on basic pulse waveforms. Ratios of ATv/V, VTv/D, and the ratio of pulse period to the period for peak spectral velocity (Tv-p) are utilized to quantify the difference between rock and soil sites for near-fault forward-directivity ground motions. The ATv/V ratio of recorded near-fault motions is substantially larger for rock sites than that for soil sites, while Tv-p/Tv ratios are smaller at rock sites than at soil sites. Furthermore, using simple pulses and available predictive relationships for the pulse parameters, a preliminary model for the design acceleration response spectra for the near-fault region that includes the dependence on magnitude, rupture distance, and local site conditions are developed.