Please find attached our
comments on the Draft ADA Guidelines.
- Changeable or
Variable Message Signs (X02.3.8.7)
Typical industry practice is to try to keep messages short and one page if
possible but we should not be limited from using multiple page messages when
practical.
- Detectable
Warnings (X02.4.12)
Requiring detectable warning surfaces at all sidewalk/street
transition would require that recently installed curb ramps be replaced or
retrofitted at significant expense to our department. It would have been nice
to have had this requirement put forward when curb ramps were initially
required. If this becomes standard, it should only apply to new curb ramp
installations.
- Pedestrian signal
push buttons (X02.5.1)
Again this is a significant cost to the city to retrofit all intersections.
This should be left to the Engineer's judgment as to when there is a known
impaired population.
- Crossing times
(x02.5.5)
The usual 4 ft/sec is adequate in most cases and reductions from this
should be considered when deemed necessary by engineering judgment.
- Roundabouts
(X02.5.9)
Requiring the installation of a pedestrian activated traffic signal at all
pedestrian crossings near roundabouts makes no sense. While we recognize that
there needs to be some attention paid to protecting visually impaired
pedestrian at these crossings, this takes it to far and would in many cases
render roundabouts useless.
- Turn lanes at
intersections (X02.5.10)
It is overkill to require the installation of a pedestrian activated traffic
signal at all approaches with turn lanes.
- On-street parking
(X02.6.1)
Handicap on-street parking is often not possible without reduction of travel
lanes - lateral space requirement is not there for access aisles.
Chris R. Spencer, P.E.
Congestion Management & ITS Engineer
City of Greensboro Department of Transportation