[Colorado-talk] Fwd: Quiet Mall Shuttles

[Gary Van Dorn]

I am forwarding the below from General Manager Genova received this afternoon.  Although RTD states they ordered the devices necessary to make the shuttles more audible, we still need to speak at Tuesday’s meeting.  I continue encouraging everyone to attend who has the capacity to do so.

Gary

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Genova, David" <David.Genova at rtd-denver.com<mailto:David.Genova at rtd-denver.com>>
Subject: Re: Quiet Mall Shuttles
Date: 23 June 2017 at 17:02:25 MDT
To: Gary Van Dorn <garyvdrn at msn.com<mailto:garyvdrn at msn.com>>
Cc: Diane McGeorge <rmcgeorge at comcast.net<mailto:rmcgeorge at comcast.net>>, Dan Burke <burke.dall at gmail.com<mailto:burke.dall at gmail.com>>, James Striplett <jamestriplett at comcast.net<mailto:jamestriplett at comcast.net>>, Julie Reiskin <jreiskin at ccdconline.org<mailto:jreiskin at ccdconline.org>>, Jaime Lewis <jlewis at ccdconline.org<mailto:jlewis at ccdconline.org>>, Scott LaBarre <slabarre at labarrelaw.com<mailto:slabarre at labarrelaw.com>>, Brent Batron <bbatron at cocenter.org<mailto:bbatron at cocenter.org>>, Brenda Mosby <Brenda at teameei.org<mailto:Brenda at teameei.org>>, "Williams, Kate" <kate.williams at rtd-denver.com<mailto:kate.williams at rtd-denver.com>>, "Kevin Williams" <kwilliams at ccdconline.org<mailto:kwilliams at ccdconline.org>>

Good afternoon Gary,

Thank you for the email regarding the new 16th Street Mall Shuttles. We issued a bulletin to operators to use the bell as they approach the corner. Also, we have materials on order for the device to simulate an engine. We anticipate those installations to be complete in August.

As always, we appreciate your input.

Regards,

David A. Genova
General Manager and CEO
303-299-2300

On Jun 21, 2017, at 4:24 AM, Gary Van Dorn <garyvdrn at msn.com<mailto:garyvdrn at msn.com>> wrote:

General Manager Genova,

We spoke this evening before tonight’s Financial Administration and Audit Committee Meeting concerning the quiet Mall Shuttles.  These new shuttles are electric and the motors are consequently quiet.  I expressed the concern of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado (NFBCO) that these new shuttles are quiet and cannot be easily heard by the blind and visually impaired community.  Almost every member of the NFBCO expresses concern with our safety due to the quiescence of these new electric shuttles.

You indicated during our conversation that RTD intends to install a device which will simulate the sound of a motor.  I asked you when RTD would complete this task and you did not know the date.    As a temporary measure, I asked if RTD could ring the bell as the operator approaches a corner.  You indicated RTD is doing that.  I never heard the operator ring the bell approaching a corner.  You indicated to me that you heard operators ringing the bell as they approached the corner; this is perhaps due to the fact they recognize you.  There are many comments from members of the NFBCO that the bell is not being heard as the shuttle approaches the corner.  I asked if you would remind the operators to do this and you stated you would.

Please inform the NFBCO when RTD plans to begin instillation and completes the project to install the devices to simulate an engine?  Also, could you send us a copy of any correspondence or communication you send to RTD staff to ring the bell as they approach the corner?

I always appreciate the opportunity to speak to you before and between meetings.

Gary Van Dorn
Vice-President, Mile High NFBCO
Board Member, NFBCO
Treasurer, NFBCO Sports & Recreation Division