[nfbmi-talk] Opinions on audible crosswalks?

Sat Aug 24 23:51:54 UTC 2013

Hi Jim,

No, it is worse.  Elmwood and Saginaw is likewise pretty treacherous.  These
have those continuous right and left turn lanes.

Warm Regards,

Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jim in
Detroit
Sent: Saturday, August 24, 2013 4:53 AM
To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Cc: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Opinions on audible crosswalks?

Boy, take me back 40 years; I'd love to learn to handle Waverley and
Saginaw; I wonder if that has improved over the years?

-----Original Message-----
From: Christine Boone
Sent: August 23, 2013 23:26
To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Cc: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Opinions on audible crosswalks?

This message is from Doug Boone with some additions from me:

For starters we must ask ourselves: How do you define a complex
intersection? Doug and I have both worked with folks who have received
blindness skill training that they believe is excellent-- most people really
love their travel teacher, because no matter how far he or she has taken
them toward independent travel, they enjoy more freedom after training than
they did before:

Some of these good folks have come to us requesting assistance with
intersections that they define as extremely complex-- and we have discovered
that in many cases the intersections are actually simple to moderate
crossings.

That said however, both of us have encountered some truly odd intersections
that would benefit from accessible pedestrian signals.  This is often the
case when there is an excessive amount of ambient noise in the surrounding
environment, or when the intersection has 3 or more streets converging-
especially when 1 or more of the streets have only intermittent traffic. 
When traffic is heavy and consistent, even really complex, multi-street
intersections can be successfully navegated without accessible pedestrian
signals.

But no matter how we define a complex intersection, and no matter how well
an individual has trained in blindness travel skills, the accessible
pedestrian signal gives only one part of the equation: when the light
changes from green to red, and whether the walk sign is lighted.  The signal
does not give any indication of what traffic is doing, and whether or not
drivers are obeying the law. Indeed audible pedestrian signals can create a
sense of complacency that lowers the blind persons attention level so that
they are less aware of traffic itself.

One positive thing that has happened in recent years is that the noise
produced by the signals themselves has been considerably reduced. The older
louder signals actually created a hazard because they were noisy enough to
mask the sound of traffic almost entirely.

So those are our thoughts. It will be good for J.J. to meet with the MDOT
people and to discuss these things...but the ultimate fix is a quality
rehabilitation agency that offers consistent, superior training to its
customers and can consult effectively with MDOT on when and where accessible
signals should be installed.  An agency that is run and managed by
individuals who are not acquainted with the practices and/or the profession
of vocational rehabilitation will not have the ability to provide anything
in the way of meaningful partnership or consultation on matters concerning
individuals who are blind.

Boone Christine Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 23, 2013, at 11:33 AM, "J.J. Meddaugh" <jj at bestmidi.com> wrote:

> Through talking to some people on Twitter, I've got a meeting set up 
> with some MDOT people about accessible pedestrian signals. Their 
> policy is that they'll install one if blind pedestrians regularly use that
intersection.
> I'm going to talk about the need for audible signals at complex 
> intersections where traffic patterns aren't easily discernable but was 
> curious as to your opinions on the matter. I know NFB has shifted 
> opinion over time on the issue.
> Just to clarify, I'm not claiming to represent NFB of Michigan for 
> this meeting,.
> Thanks much.
>
>
>
> --
> Best regards,
> J.J.
>
>
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Jim in Detroit
James A. Prather
Central Michigan University: 1980
Michigan School for the Blind: 1974
"Fire Up Chips"
"Ungh, ungowa, Raiders still Got the Power!" 

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