TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

My name is Debra Bradley and my address is [ ...]. It has been brought to my attention that on June 17, 2002, your Access Board issued draft guidelines which would mandate audible traffic signals (ATS) at all intersections with walk/don’t walk signs and require detectible warnings to be placed at every street crossing. I strongly disagree with this mandate and implore you not to issue final guidelines on such extreme provisions as outlined in this draft. In my opinion, such an overall change to the environment would serve as a hindrance to the safe travel of blind people. This would occur by adding distracting sounds to the environment when a minimal amount of noise is required for safe crossing. Detectable warnings are necessary only in the case where slopes are virtually flat, (1 to 15) or flatter.

Currently under Section 1202 of the Transportation Equity Act, the use of ATS’s is required only when appropriate for safety. ATS’s are a necessity when sufficient non-visual cues are not otherwise available. Complex streets and traffic patterns that inhibit safe crossing are examples of where such devices are necessary. I am in agreement with this section of the Transportation Equity Act. If possible, vibrating tactile signals indicators should be used in preference to audible signals to minimize noise distraction. This would help to promote safety.

Finally, it would be financially debilitating to make such a change to the environment in a time of economic recession.

Thank you

[Identical comments submitted by other commenters as listed below - Access Board]

Denise Avant

Larry Bickhem

Arica Campbell

Damian Campbell

Darrell Darnell
Brandon Dickson

Carl Earnest
Tony Furcron

Courtney Hummel

Aljean JGjewski

John JGjewski

Sonjia Joiner-Irving

Alonzo Kennedy

Antoinette Kennedy

Brenda Kennedy

Marva Lattimore

Patrick Olson

Debbie Pittman

Debrona Pittman-Banks

Johnnie L. Pittman III

Ronnie Pittman

Ronnie L. Pittman II

Theresa Roberts

Jamal Rounds

Simone Rounds

Carolyn Smith

LaQuita Terry

Anthony Thomas

J. T. Thomas

Eddie Williams