Debra Bradley and Others
|
October 27, 2002 |
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 DicksonCarl Earnest
Tony FurcronCourtney 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