Mary Jane Fry

September 29, 2002

Dear Board Members:

I am a blind person and a member of the National Federation of the Blind. During a portion of my 30-year career as a federal employee, I traveled by public transportation across state lines to Massachusetts on a daily basis. During those years and in my other travel experiences, I have been able to safely cross-busy intersections by listening to the flow of traffic and other pedestrian sound cues

I am writing with regards to Section 1202 concerning the use of audible traffic signals when appropriate for safety. Modifications should be considered only when there is a sufficient absence of nonvisual cues. I understand that the purpose of the guideline proposals would be to provide audible pedestrian traffic signals at every intersection where there is a walk - don’t walk sign. I believe that the beeping of these audible signals will cause confusion and make it hard to concentrate on the flow of traffic.

Most intersections do not require an ats for accessibility and for safety of blind pedestrians. Only intersections with complex geometry signalization or varied signalization for each lane may be appropriate for an ats.

Vibrotactile indicators should be used in preference to audible signals in order to minimize distractions and better promote safety.

Locator tones at all intersections should not be included in the proposals and should be subject to further research.

Concerning detectable tactile sidewalk warnings. At most intersections the built in environment provides accessible cues to determine the difference between the sidewalk and the street. It is only necessary to have a detectable warning whenever a sidewalk, (including a median or island) joins a crosswalk. The warnings should only be installed when the slope is virtually flat. This is referred to as 1 - 15 or flatter or one inch downward for every 15 inches of sidewalk

Thank you for your attention. I hope you will give my requests serious consideration.

Sincerely yours
Mary Jane Fry.