[Mt-blind] MAB Position on Accessible Pedestrian Signals

[RJ / KJ]

President Dan and  others on the list...  Anyone know about the plans going
down in Bozeman?  Intersections on our Main Street has been torn up all
summer.  I had heard from a couple that plans were to put audible signals
in.   I don't know if there was any consultation such as was suggested in
the 2003 resolution that Mr. Marks posted recently on this list.  I suspect
it is possible there was some local input here, but do not know that.  I
would contact someone to give them a copy of the resolution if you think it
might be helpful.  Likely as not, this is all too late for us.  I do not
know of too many white cane users on our downtown streets other than Mr.
Toohey and myself as I never run across any or hear mention by others.  But
perhaps there are.  There are some tricky intersections in Bozeman.  But if
they do this to all the downtown corners it will be a noise that I think
will really annoy many.  And even worse, in my opinion, it will be a
hindrance to the usual blind traveler techniques for making safe crossings.

Comments or information may be made to me by email at d28rik at msn.com or by
phone at 406.586-4123.  I don't regularly read all the posts on this list so
I might miss your reply.

Thanks.
Rik James
Bozeman 

-----Original Message-----
From: mt-blind-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:mt-blind-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Daniel Burke
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2007 8:50 AM
To: blind.grizzly at gmail.com; 'Montana Association for the Blind List'
Subject: Re: [Mt-blind] MAB Position on Accessible Pedestrian Signals

Thanks Jim,

The interesting thing about audible signals is that there isn't any
substantive research to show that they actually increase safety for blind
pedestrians.   The whole concept is one seemingly based on supposition -- if
you can't see the signal, then you need to hear it.  At about $25,000 per
intersection to install, that's a pretty weak argument.    For even a city
as small as Missoula, that would come out to nearly $3 million.  That is
some serious government intervention with not much to justify the expense.

Dan

-----Original Message-----
From: mt-blind-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:mt-blind-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jim Marks
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 9:44 PM
To: 'Montana Association for the Blind List'
Subject: [Mt-blind] MAB Position on Accessible Pedestrian Signals

As promised, I looked up the MAB resolution on accessible pedestrian
signals.  The resolution, which was adopted in 2003 in Butte, stands as the
official policy on the audible signals.  The resolution does not oppose all
such signals, but it certainly sets the tone that they are rarely necessary
or desirable.  The resolution also calls for the less obnoxious and more
accessible vibro-tactile type.  The MAB could change its policy by adopting
a different resolution at convention.  Here is the resolution:

Resolution 2003-06 Accessible Pedestrian Signals 

WHEREAS accessible pedestrian signals are audible and/or vibro-tactile
signals that provide alternative indicators for the blind when the walk and
do not walk signals are activated; and 

WHEREAS accessible pedestrian signals are expensive to install and maintain
and are necessary only for some rare intersections where traditional
orientation and mobility techniques for the blind do not work effectively;
and 

WHEREAS blind pedestrians prefer vibro-tactile signals over audible ones
because vibro-tactile signals do not endanger blind pedestrians by adding
confusing and unnecessary noise to the soundscape, thus interfering with the
sounds of traffic that blind pedestrians use to cross intersections safely;
and WHEREAS blind and visually impaired Montanans are citizens who want to
spend public dollars wisely and to reinforce the notion that well-trained
and responsible blind and visually impaired citizens routinely cross most
intersections without accessible pedestrian signals: Now, therefore, 

Be it RESOLVED by the Montana Association for the Blind in convention
assembled on this fourth day of May, 2003, in the city of Butte, Montana,
that this organization proclaims that accessible pedestrian signals are
necessary for only a few intersections, not all intersections; and 

Be it further RESOLVED that we call upon the Montana Department of
Transportation and city governments to consult with the Montana Association
for the Blind before installing accessible pedestrian signals; and 

Be it further RESOLVED that the Montana Department of Transportation and
city governments install only accessible pedestrian signals of the
vibro-tactile type.  


Jim Marks
blind.grizzly at GMail.com 

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