[IL-Talk] Eliminating Blind Access Barrier on New CTA 7000 Series Rail Cars

[Kyle Chellino]

You know, I really hope they really read this carefully. This is very
very very important information! If only you could've got them to
respond!

On 8/1/21, Kelly Pierce via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I sent the following to  Amy J. Serpe, the  Manager, ADA Compliance
> Programs for the Chicago Transit Authority on July 23. There has been
> no response.  With the new 7000 series rail cars, CTA could through
> external speakers automatically identify different trains traveling on
> the same track when the doors open and eliminate an existing
> accessibility barrier.
>
> Kelly
>
>
> Dear Amy,
>
> I listened to the July 12 CTA ADA Advisory Committee meeting on the
> YouTube video streaming platform.  Thank you for reading my public
> comment in its entirety on pedestrian safety and electric buses.
> During the meeting, the new 7000 series rail cars were discussed. The
> CTA representative said 10 prototype cars are currently in service.
> The new cars feature a revised audio announcement system. From what I
> understand, stop announcements will occur automatically with train
> operators rarely if ever needing to manually initiate announcements or
> make announcements themselves. Currently, again from what I
> understand, train operators on all other trains need to take action to
> initiate the playing of various audio messages.
>
> Unfortunately, the need for the manual initiation of audio messages
> leads to widespread non-compliance with 49 CFR § 37.167(c) of the ADA
> transportation regulations which state: "Where vehicles or other
> conveyances for more than one route serve the same stop, the entity
> shall provide a means by which an individual with a visual impairment
> or other disability can identify the proper vehicle to enter or be
> identified to the vehicle operator as a person seeking a ride on a
> particular route."
>
> The CTA has multiple train routes operating on the same track during
> regularly scheduled service. These include stations on the Loop
> elevated, the Green and Orange Roosevelt station, and select north
> side stations serving the Red, Brown, and Purple rail lines. Train
> operators rarely play any announcements on external or even internal
> speakers identifying the train route when a person with a long, white
> cane is standing on the rail platform. The new automated announcement
> system can eliminate this accessibility barrier if the system is
> programmed to use external speakers to announce the train route at
> stations serving multiple routes. While the representative said the
> prototype cars play a unique door opening sound, this audio
> information is not sufficient at many rail stations for a blind person
> to decide independently to board the train because trains on the same
> track are going different directions. I urge CTA modify the new stop
> announcement system on the 7000 series rail cars so blind passengers
> can identify the routes of different trains when they are traveling on
> the same track.
>
> Kelly Pierce
> Chicago, IL
>
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