[Nfb-kzoo] Proposed Transportation Paper

[J.J. Meddaugh]

Here's what I plan to bring. Thoughts?

Dear Mr. Schomisch:

 

The Kalamazoo chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is 

appreciative of the time you have taken to visit with us this evening. Below you will find a list of improvements and changes our group and others would like to see implemented for the Metro Transit system. We would be happy to work with you and your staff on the implementation of these items and answer any questions you may have. We also appreciate you taking time to listen to input from our individual members and will be happy to send a summary of these comments after the meeting.

 

1.       Stop announcements at all stops

 

Problem: The current system for announcement of bus stops is impractical and not very useful to travelers who are blind or visually impaired. For example, there is no audible announcement on Westnedge between Lovell and Meijer, a nearly three mile straight stretch.

 

Solution: We recommend an automatic system of stop announcements which would voice each scheduled stop, i.e. all stops represented by a bus shelter or sign. Similar systems have been implemented in cities such as Chicago, Lansing, and Grand Rapids and have been found to be unobtrusive. This would also eliminate the need for drivers to manually cue the audible stop announcements, allowing them to concentrate on other tasks. This system should be possible with the recent purchase of an Automatic Vehicle Location system.

 

2.       Accessible schedules and Route Information

 

Problem: The current route and timetable information as posted online is not usable by those with screen access software. This poses a major inconvenience to travelers and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. Kalamazoo is one of the few systems in the entire state without accessible schedule information.

 

Solution: Schedules and route information should be accessible through various means. Examples of systems with accessible information include Chicago, Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Google Transit.  This would also improve the experience for all travelers. On ridetherapid.org for example, users can input an address and learn the bus routes closest to their location. Lansing provides turn-by-turn route information for all routes, information which is already typed up and just needs to be made accessible.

 

3.       Metro County Connect Scheduling

 

Problem: users of the Metro County Connect service are experiencing difficulties in scheduling rides. Operators are telling customers to schedule rides a week in advance, and seem annoyed if a user attempts to schedule a ride one day before. Often, trips are not available when attempting to schedule a ride for the following day.

 

Solution: Improvements should be made to return to the level of service before the merger. It is often difficult to anticipate the need for a trip a week in advance, and users of this system should not be expected to plan this far in advance or be scolded if attempting to schedule a trip on the following day.

 

4. Distinguishable bus signs

 

Problem: Many bus signs throughout the city lack distinguishable characteristics, and can be easily confused with other signage on city streets. This can lead to drivers missing passengers or being forced to stop at unmarked and possibly unsafe locations.

 

Solution: Simple modifications should be made to existing signs to allow for improved accessibility. Examples may include cutting a small hole or corner at the bottom of the signs so they can be distinguished by touch, or embossing a Braille character or word on the sign. These changes should be possible now without the need to completely replace all signs. This change would also allow for the implementation of the recommendation by the COA of only stopping at marked bus stops.

J.J. Meddaugh - ATGuys.com
A premier Licensed Code Factory and KNFB Reader distributor