Paul Hunt

October 28, 2002

I am Blind and have been trained to travel independently and have been doing so for over thirty years. In most situations, I can use trafic patterns to determine when to cross an intersection. however, intersections are becoming more complicated and vehicles are getting quieter. There are also times when there isn't enough parallel trafic to determine when it's safe to cross. In addition, society has determined that pedistrians need to be given additional information at many intersections. This is done by walk and don't walk signs. I haven't seen the prowac report but here are some comments that make sence to me related to accessible trafic signals. I believe accessible pedistrian signals should be installed when:

1. the public determines that pedistrians need additional information at intersections vi a walk and don't walk sign 2. When parallel trafic is too light to determine when the pedistrian gets the signal 3. When it is difficult to determine alignment at an intersection or to identify the crosswalk while crossing the street 4. When the length of the cycle changes for any reason (I.E. when a button is pushed or when a light rail or bus changes the light cycle. 5. when an intersection is in a t configuration 6 When an intersection is unusually complex 7. At all round abouts

As I stated earlier, Blind people who are properly trained can travel independently in most situations. However, trafic patterns are changing and vehicles are getting quieter. In addition, many Blind and Visually Impaired people have not received the necessary training. For these reasons, I urge the access board to support prowac's recommendations and consider the guidelines I listed in these comments.

Thanks so much.

Paul