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Scott White
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October 20, 2002 |
1. Audible
Pedestrian Signals
I am opposed to the draft guidelines as they are currently written concerning
APS, blind persons are capable of crossing streets using traffic noise
independently in most situations. However, I can see where APS would be of
assistance in complex intersections. I feel that it is unnecessary to install
APS at all new and renovated intersections as the proposed guidelines suggest
without any consideration as to the level of complexity of that intersection's
traffic flow.
I believe that the Access Board's guidelines should require that a panel of
persons from blind consumer groups plus mobility instructors in that community
should decide if APS and detectable warnings are warranted for a particular
intersection.
It has been my experience in crossing streets with my cane is not a problem but
the issue is that some drivers don't pay attention to see if anyone is in the
cross walk before turning right on red for example. Once trained a blind person
can negotiate most intersections with no issues.
2. Detectable warnings on cross walk ramps I feel that detectable warnings are
not necessary on most cross walk ramps except when the decline or incline is
very slight. Again this would be best determined by a panel of blind persons and
mobility instructors in the community where the detectable warnings are to be
installed.
3. Detectable warning strips along train platforms I am whole heartily in favor
of placing detectable warning strips at the edge of train platforms. Not because
of my blindness but because I think it makes sense as a safety issue for all
persons and I think it should have been made a requirement from the start. Think
of all our children who don't pay attention to there surroundings until it is to
late. Think of
all the adults who have something on their hurried minds and don't pay
attention to what they are doing eater. See I think the detectable warnings on
train platforms is not a blind safety issue but a people safety issue.
Now I could envision a circumstance during rush hour where there would be so
many hurried people pushing to get on a train that it would not allow a blind
person to correctly use their cane. So the edge of the platform might be
difficult to find at that time. But let me make myself perfectly clear that if
it was a perfect world where persons respected you and allowed you to use your
cane properly it would be no problem to find the edge of the platform.
Sincerely,
Scott White