Dr. Ronald E. Milliman

October 28, 2002

Attention Access Board:

While I am an active member of the National Federation of the Blind, President of the NFB of Kentucky's South Central Chapter, I am also in strong favor of "selective audible traffic signals." Though I do not believe they are needed on absolutely every street corner that has a traffic light, I certainly believe they are needed on most, and it is far better to have them on "all" intersections where there are traffic lights than to not have them at all.

There are many situations where you simply cannot hear the traffic flow very clearly, and if a blind person had an audible traffic signal, it would increase the probability of he/she being able to cross safely. No signaling system is perfect, and no signaling system will prevent accidents 100%.

Fully sighted people have two methods available to them: 1) the light itself and 2) often a walk/don't walk sign, and even fully sighted people are hit from time to time when crossing an intersection.

Additionally, as automobiles become quieter and quieter, such as electric cars, it becomes increasingly more difficult to hear oncoming traffic and traffic flows. It is more and more likely to miss hearing that one extra quiet automobile, especially with other surrounding noises in a busy area, such as the typical city.

So, if fully sighted people have two methods available to them to help them and to protect them when crossing busy intersections, isn't only reasonable that blind persons have a least one signaling system available to them?

Thus, I strongly support an audible traffic signaling system!!!!


Most Sincerely,

Dr. Ronald E. Milliman
Professor of Marketing
Western Kentucky University