[nagdu] An APS victory

[Tracy Carcione]

I have been trying for the last 2 and a half years to get an audible
signal at a T intersection near my house.  It was finally installed this
week!  Last night, my husband and I were walking home after an evening
class, and we were able to cross the street without worrying if we really
had the light, or if it was just a lull in traffic.  I won't have to call
my husband to come and meet my bus home from work, because he can see the
light a little bit.  I'll be able to go to the hair salon, the pharmacy,
the dollar store, or any other business on the other side of the street
without feeling like I'm taking my life in my hands.  Of course, Ben and I
will still have to pay attention for scum running the light, or turning
when they shouldn't, but at least now I know when the light is in my
favor.

Lukas Franck at The Seeing Eye was a huge help to me.  He was a real
advocate.  He directed me to template letters to make my original request,
and to copies of the relevant regulations.  He came to look at the
intersection, to confirm that an audible signal was needed there.  He came
to a meeting with the traffic engineers and the town manager, and educated
them on the regs, and on the types of signals.  He met with the engineers
again in Morristown, and gave them a tour of the APS's set up there.
That's what I call real advocacy!
I don't think I could have done it without his help, and the help of the
town manager, who understood the need and kept bugging the county to get
it done.
Lukas says it is the first audible signal in my county.  The county was
very resistant, because they thought that if they put in one, they'd have
to put one at every lighted intersection.  But we were able to educate
them, and occasionally threaten them, and at last it's done!  It's so
great, when a long struggle actually bears fruit.

I'm immensely grateful to Lukas, and to The Seeing Eye for letting him
spend time helping me solve a problem not really related to my dog.
I also asked some local NFB leaders for help and advice, but they didn't
really know any more than I did.  But now I know, and could advise others,
maybe.
Tracy