I have carefully considered the proposed regulations that are out for public comment concerning detectable warning strips and audible traffic signals. My opinion is that there may be a very few places where these devices might be necessary, but as a rule, most streets don't need these types of warnings for blind people to travel safely. As a blind traveler myself, I have found the audible traffic signals more of a distraction than a help. Learning to pay proper attention to traffic patterns is a much safer way to travel than to get signals which, more often than not, are not clear from the traffic light. As for detectable warning strips on curbs and platform edges, I have not found them useful. I can't help but be concerned that there are people who have learned to use them as safety guides. If they travel to any place where they are not present, they will most likely be in more danger than if they had just been taught to travel without these warnings in the first place. I know that what the Access Board has proposed has been thought of as what we need as blind people in order to travel safely, but please consider all the blind people who have traveled safely for many years in this country without these adaptations. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of my comments. Should you need to contact me for any reason, my information is as follows:

Maryann Gilliard

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