Audra Kramer and Others
|
October 17, 2002 |
[Identical letter submitted by others; similar letter below submitted by additional commenters - Access Board]
To whom it may concern:
I am writing to ask you to reconsider your proposal regarding audible traffic
signals and vibrotactile warnings. The guidelines you have set forth would
require the implementation of these signals at every intersection. This is an
extreme measure that does not justify the high cost that will be involved. The
Majority of blind pedestrians are competent travelers who are able to safely
cross intersections using the traffic patterns as sound cues. The noise created
by these signals would obscure the sounds of the traffic and might prove more
dangerous to us. I also believe that the assertion that audible signals can be
used as a directional aid is a false one. The eight beeping points that would be
generated by APS's at each intersection would only be confusing and hazardous to
our traveling ability. Furthermore, there is no research currently in existence
that demonstrates the effect of audible signals on blind pedestrians. Your
guidelines would require consistent placement of these signals, which should
make the locater tones unnecessary. These tones would also prove to be
exceedingly noisy and unpleasant for many pedestrians, whether they are blind or
sighted. For these reasons, I strongly urge you to abandon this proposal.
Sincerely,
[signature]