Thanks Jeff,
I always appreciate and value your professional opinion. Wherever the trend may lead, akin to our response to the quiet car issue, we really need to find ways to insert our voices into the conversation where shared spaces and smart streets are being considered which, I suspect, will be in a growing number of places. The question that is presented, it seems to me, is what modifications, if any, should we propose? Without the customary tactile and audible cues we have relied upon thus far to negotiate street crossings, we are left with further developing our intuitive interactions with motorists. To me, therein lies the problem. As we all know, the largest barrier that blindness poses are social misconceptions. It makes communication difficult at times, if not annoying. For instance, when crossing a street without a signal, drivers will likely not know how to interpret our movement or intentions lest we display very clear signs. Of course, we do this already when dealing with right turning traffic, stop sign controlled intersections, and the like, usually without much pause. When eliminating these controls, however, relying increasingly upon shared judgement calls, I?m not sure how that might play out in a number of situations. There is always the overly cautious nut who will actually exit their vehicle to provide physical guidance to the blind pedestrian, thereby potentially holding up progress for an entire interchange.
I would be most interested to hear how instructors will have presented these types of traffic scenarios and very much appreciate everyone?s input on the topic. I would also reiterate my encouragement to you to reach out to Peggy Martinez as she wants to work with cane travel professionals on these issues.
Thanks,
Maurice
From: Altman, Jeff [mailto:jeff.altman at nebraska.gov]
Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2017 9:07 AM
To: Jane Lansaw <cordlesslansaw at yahoo.com>; Maurice Peret <mperet at BISM.org>
Cc: NOMC List <nomc at lists.nbpcb.org>
Subject: RE: [Nomc] FW: FW: 4 Public Comment; Peggy Martinez
Personally I don?t see any advantage in these designs. They are more likely to cause confusion for both drivers and pedestrians, and blind folks that are not particularly confident will be much more likely to avoid these sort of environments. On the other hand, when addressing our needs, we really need to avoid the ?technology solution,? for many reasons, not the least of which is that not everybody can afford to buy a smart phone, or $2000.00 GPS to go shopping, or to walk to work. The ?KISS? principle is the the thing that needs to be kept to the forfront.
I find it frustrating that as a society we are now pushing technology and environmental design, not based on their practicality or ability to truly improve the quality of people?s lives, but simply because they are ??cool.? For example, there is absolutely no reason for touch screens on the dashboards of cars, in place of gold fashion knobs and buttons, which a driver could operate without taking his or her eyes off the road. Oh yeah, shared spaces, and cars with touch screen controls, yes sir, that?s genius!
To be perfectly clear, when it comes to shared spaces, I am not overly concerned about the safety of blind people, we are among the most adaptable people in the world, but I am deeply concerned about the children that have to walk through these areas. Many children are injured and killed each year in parking lots, and now we want to turn the streets into the same sort of uncontrolled free for all, while we do our level best to provide lots of new distractions for motorists. The shared spaces concept will eventually fall out of favor, but probably not before it becomes more popular, and problematic for the general public. Basically, the same as quiet cars didn?t get attention, until sighted pedestrians and cycleists starting paying the price for the quiet.
From: NOMC [mailto:nomc-bounces at lists.nbpcb.org] On Behalf Of Jane Lansaw
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2017 5:06 PM
To: Maurice Peret <mperet at BISM.org>
Cc: NOMC List <nomc at lists.nbpcb.org>
Subject: Re: [Nomc] FW: FW: 4 Public Comment; Peggy Martinez
We have a shared space outside of the library where the Tulsa at Nfb chapter needs. It's annoying but as long as the cars are willing to share two, we do OK. Still, I wish that we had some input when the engineers decide that they want something like this. What can we do?
from the world's smallest keyboard.
On Oct 14, 2017, at 8:01 AM, Maurice Peret