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This came from Sam Fischer at SSB, who was contacted by Metro Transit.
<br><br>
Good Morning!<br>
Metro Transit asked if we would send an email to you in hopes you could
help them with platform improvements for the train. If you could
please answer the questions below and send your responses directly to
Kimberly Zlimen
(<a href="mailto:Kimberly.zlimen@metrotrasit.org">
Kimberly.zlimen@metrotrasit.org</a>) and CC Joseph Kapper
(<a href="mailto:jkapper@srfconsulting.org">jkapper@srfconsulting.org</a>
). To read the original email request, I've included it at the very
end of this email (after my signature block).<br>
•
What types of information do you use to assist you in navigating the
platforms? (Examples: railings, tactile pavers at crossings, sounds,
platform announcements, etc.)<br>
•
What types of information do you use to board/exit trains? (Examples:
railings, tactile pavers at crossings, sounds, platform announcements,
etc.)<br>
•
Are there any elements of light rail platforms and station areas that are
particularly helpful in using and navigating to/from platforms and light
rail vehicles? If so, what are they? (To give you some examples, we
have heard that the metal plate indicating “Paid Fare Zone” at the ends
of the Green Line platforms is a helpful landmark. Also, that having a Go
To card validator consistently at the platform ends makes it easy to
locate this machine). <br>
•
Are there any elements of light rail platforms and station areas that
present challenges in using and navigating to/from platforms and light
rail vehicles? If so, what are they? (Example: have trouble
locating a Go To card validator, no pedestrian push buttons to cross
streets at platform landings).<br>
•
Are there ways in which the trains operate that are helpful to you as a
user? (Example: announcements of station stops, announcements of on which
track trains are approaching, automatic door opening during warmer
months). <br>
•
Are there ways in which the trains operate that present challenges to you
as a user? (Example: vehicle doors not automatically opening in the
winter, announcements not providing useful information at the right
time). <br>
•
If a GPS-based application could be applied to geo-locate certain
platform elements, what platform elements would be the most important to
locate? (Examples: ticket vending machines, Go To card validators, trash
cans, etc.)<br>
•
If asked would you be willing to participate in a future planning meeting
with Metro Transit to help with platform improvements?<br>
I tried to think of everyone in the office who rode the train and of
those who visit us regularly, but if there is anyone else you know that
is blind, low vision or DeafBlind and rides the train, please feel free
to forward this to them; I'm sure Metro Transit would appreciate as much
input as possible.<br>
Thanks!<br>
<br>
<b>Samantha Fischer <i>|</i> Administrative Coordinator<br>
</b><i>Department of Employment and Economic Development<br>
State Services for the Blind <br>
</i>2200 University Ave West Suite 240, St. Paul, MN 55114<br>
Direct: 651-539-2271<br>
<a href="http://mn.gov/deed">Web</a> |
<a href="http://twitter.com/mndeed">Twitter</a> |
<a href="http://facebook.com/mndeed">Facebook</a><br>
<a href="http://mn.gov/deed/whymn">
<img src="cid:.0" width=453 height=30 alt="Minnesota: Number 1 State for Business, CNBC, 2015">
</a><br>
<br>
<b>From:</b> Zlimen, Kimberly
[<a href="mailto:Kimberly.Zlimen@metrotransit.org">
mailto:Kimberly.Zlimen@metrotransit.org</a>] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 12, 2016 8:25 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Kalland, Laurie (DEED)
<<a href="mailto:laurie.kalland@state.mn.us">
laurie.kalland@state.mn.us</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Joseph Kapper
(<a href="mailto:jkapper@srfconsulting.com">jkapper@srfconsulting.com</a>
)
<<a href="mailto:jkapper@srfconsulting.com">
jkapper@srfconsulting.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> RE: Metro Transit - light rail platform improvements for
customers with visual disabilities<br>
<br>
<a name="_MailEndCompose"></a>Hi Laurie,<br>
<br>
That would be great if SSB could forward these questions to your network.
For a reply email, you could include mine
(<a href="mailto:kimberly.zlimen@metrotransit.org">
kimberly.zlimen@metrotransit.org</a>) and copy the consultant who is
working with me in case I am out of the office (Joe Kapper with SRF
Consulting,
<a href="mailto:jkapper@srfconsulting.com">jkapper@srfconsulting.com</a>
– also copied here). <br>
<br>
<br>
<b>From:</b> Zlimen, Kimberly
[<a href="mailto:Kimberly.Zlimen@metrotransit.org">
mailto:Kimberly.Zlimen@metrotransit.org</a>] <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 11, 2016 2:03 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Kalland, Laurie (DEED)
<<a href="mailto:laurie.kalland@state.mn.us">
laurie.kalland@state.mn.us</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Joseph Kapper
(<a href="mailto:jkapper@srfconsulting.com">jkapper@srfconsulting.com</a>
)
<<a href="mailto:jkapper@srfconsulting.com">
jkapper@srfconsulting.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Metro Transit - light rail platform improvements for
customers with visual disabilities<br>
<br>
Hello Laurie,<br>
<br>
You and I spoke yesterday about a study Metro Transit is conducting. This
study will recommend improvements Metro Transit could make to our light
rail platforms to improve accessibility for customers with visual
disabilities. The study scope includes our existing Blue and Green Line
light rail platforms and immediately adjacent street/track crossings. As
a part of the work, we will be reviewing local and national design
guidance documents that are relevant to the topic, and reaching out to
other transit agencies to learn about infrastructure or assistive
wayfinding they have integrated into their systems. While we are focusing
on the existing light rail platforms, both the Blue and Green Line have
planned extensions and we would aim to apply any improvements system
wide.<br>
<br>
As we discussed yesterday, it would be very helpful to get feedback and
ideas from customers who have visual disabilities to ensure that our
recommended improvements consider the needs and wants of this community.
You mentioned that we could potentially set up a meeting with members of
State Services for the Blind to get feedback. Questions we might ask
could include:<br>
<br>
· <i>What types of
information do you use to assist you in navigating the platforms? To
board/exit trains?</i> (Examples: railings, tactile pavers at crossings,
sounds, platform announcements, etc.)<br>
· <i>Are there any
elements of light rail platforms and station areas that are particularly
helpful in using and navigating to/from platforms and light rail
vehicles? If so, what are they?</i> (To give you some examples, we
have heard that the metal plate indicating “Paid Fare Zone” at the ends
of the Green Line platforms is a helpful landmark. Also, that having a Go
To card validator consistently at the platform ends makes it easy to
locate this machine). <br>
· <i>Are there any
elements of light rail platforms and station areas that present
challenges in using and navigating to/from platforms and light rail
vehicles? If so, what are they?</i> (Example: have trouble locating
a Go To card validator, no pedestrian push buttons to cross streets at
platform landings).<br>
· <i>Are there ways in
which the trains operate that are helpful to you as a user?</i> (Example:
announcements of station stops, announcements of on which track trains
are approaching, automatic door opening during warmer months). <br>
· <i>Are there ways in
which the trains operate that present challenges to you as a user?</i>
(Example: vehicle doors not automatically opening in the winter,
announcements not providing useful information at the right time). <br>
· <i>If a GPS-based
application could be applied to geo-locate certain platform elements,
what platform elements would be the most important to locate?</i>
(Examples: ticket vending machines, Go To card validators, trash cans,
etc.)<br>
<br>
If you think meetings – one now as we’re just getting started, and one
later as we have some more solid recommendations – would be the best way
to engage your members, it would be great to schedule something with you.
Or I could submit questions in another format, like an electronic
questionnaire as well. Or both.<br>
<br>
Let me know your thoughts, and perhaps we could set up a meeting. I think
I mentioned it to you, but I am due with a baby in the next few weeks so
meeting soon is better for me.<br>
<br>
Thank you!<br>
Kim<br>
<br>
<b>Kimberly Zlimen, P.E.</b> <br>
<i>Engineering & Facilities<br>
</i> <br>
<img src="cid:.1" width=130 height=21 alt="cid:image001.gif@01CB52C8.6FF0CCE0">
<br>
560 Sixth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411<br>
<a href="mailto:kimberly.zlimen@metrotransit.org">
kimberly.zlimen@metrotransit.org</a><br>
Office: 612-349-7475 / Cell: 612-396-7618<br>
<br>
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