SWOMA 2011-12

Out of the Box and On a Shoe String

Meeting with Traffic Engineers

Friday, November 11, 2011

1:00-2:30 PM

Presented by

Melanie White, COMS, Weatherford, TX

Requesting Intersection Modifications

Compiled by: Melanie White, coms®

With special thanks to:

Janet Barlow, COMS®

Beezy Benton, COMS®

Lee Tabor, Registered Architect withAccessible Design for the Blind

What might you request

  • Accessible pedestrian signals
  • Detectable warnings
  • Addition of new signal
  • Guard rail or barrier
  • Modifications to signage

First step

Figure out who controls the intersection and the aspect of it that you want modified

Who handles intersection improvements varies in different areas

  • Sleuthing is sometimes necessary
  • Some municipalities contract out the installation and maintenance of signals
  • Contact state DOT for state highways
  • City for city streets

Typical departments

  • Signals - Traffic engineering, which may be further divided into installation and maintenance
  • Sidewalks and curb ramps - Public works
  • New construction – Planning
  • Signs – Public works
  • Developer - may be required to make intersection modifications as part of new development

Get details to address a letter

  • After you know what agency controls intersection
  • Find out person to contact about it
  • Name, title, address, phone number

Write a request letter

  • Individual who is blind or visually impaired should write letter
  • Letter should mention ‘provide access to’
  • Visually impaired or blind
  • Ask engineer for modifications
  • Request a meeting at intersection to discuss modifications and access issues

Sample Letter from Consumer

Director of Community Development

City of Weatherford

P.O. Box 255

Weatherford, Texas 76086

Dear Director of Community Development,

My name is Mary White and I am visually impaired. It was during my senior year at Weatherford High School that my sight began to fade. I did, however, graduate. It was not until 1986 that I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease. Today, I am legally blind and can only see hand motion about four inches from my eyes. In all probability I will be completely blind in a few years.

Six years ago, I decided that I needed to become more independent and moved into a small apartment located at 210 Austin St., Weatherford. Currently, I must rely on my elderly parents for transport to and from the doctor’s office and dentist’s office, and to take me shopping. So much for my independence.

An audible signal installed at the intersection of South Main and Lee Street would be a great help in achieving full independence by allowing me to go to the doctor, dentist, and a small shopping center without interrupting other peoples’ lives

You help in this matter will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Mary White

Sample letter from consumer

Mr. Michael Primeggia

Deputy Commissioner of Traffic Operations

Department of Transportation

3402 Queens Bourlevard

Long Island City, New York 11101

Dear Mr. Primeggia,

I would like to request your assistance at this time. I have been a resident of Queens for several years, am totally blind, and travel with a Seeing Eye dog. In order to travel independently to the stores in my neighborhood, it is necessary for me to cross Hillside Avenue and also Little Neck Parkway in Bellerose, Queens. As the lights on Hillside Avenue and Little Neck Parkway are short, and due to minimal vehicle traffic on the cross streets, it is difficult to discern when I have the light to cross both streets.

Therefore, I am requesting the placement of audible devices at lights of Hillside Avenue and 256 Street, as well as Little Neck Parkway and 86Avenue. Such equipment would aid mobility for people who are visually impaired, physically disabled, and the elderly. It is my desire to utilize the stores in my immediate neighborhood, and to do so independently with my guide dog. As there is often little pedestrian traffic in Queens, it is difficult to rely on public assistance when crossing these two busy streets. The audible devices would enable people to travel with confidence knowing that we can begin crossing at the start of the light’s cycle.

I do hope you are able to assist me, and many other people in this matter. Thank you in advance for your attention. I look forward to hearing from you, and do appreciate your assistance.

Sincerely,

Follow up

  • Letter should suggest that O&M specialist be involved in meeting, and copy the letter to that person
  • Give a specific time and way to respond, such as please call me to schedule a meeting or to discuss this issue at xxx-xxxx

Sample Follow Up Letter

Mr. Michael Primeggia

Deputy Commissioner of Traffic Operations

Department of Transportation

3402 Queens Boulevard

Long Island City, New York 11101

Dear Mr. Primeggia,

Enclosed please find a copy of a letter I sent to you in September of this year. I have also enclosed a copy of the Pedestrian Safety Handbook for your information.

The pedestrian signals would enhance independent travel for those who are blind, visually impaired, neurologically impaired, orthopedically impaired, and the elderly. I do hope that these signals will be able to be installed very soon.

If there is any additional information that I can provide I would be more than happy to do so. Your assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your attention in this matter. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

O&M specialist send letter

  • If OK’d by your client, after you receive a copy of request letter, write a supporting letter
  • Provide additional information such as handout on APS, list of manufacturers, more reasons that intersection needs modifications
  • Don’t use O&M specialist as title

Sample Letter from COMS

Director of Community Development

City of Weatherford

P.O. Box 255

Weatherford, Texas 76086

Dear Director of Community Development,

After meeting with you, TXDOT Representative, and Mary White I wanted to follow up with a letter to make a request for an accessible pedestrian signal (APS) at the intersection of South Main and Lee Street. According to Ms. White she cannot see the ped head from across the street. This means that she must use the surge of the parallel traffic on Lee Street to determine the pedestrian phase to cross South Main. As stated in our conversation, this technique was much simpler with fixed-timed signals, but in today’s world with actuated and semi-actuated signals, this technique is more difficult. I am requesting that an accessible pedestrian signal (APS) be installed at the intersection of South Main and Lee Street for the following reasons:

Inconsistent traffic on Lee Street. Sometimes there are periods of lulls in the traffic on Lee Street, while at other times there is only one car. An APS would solve this problem by letting the visually impaired individual know the activation of the ped phase even when there are no cars on Lee Street.

Right turn on red. It is difficult to distinguish between the surge of traffic on Lee Street and cars turning right on red. This can take up precious time during the ped phase. An APS would inform the visually impaired pedestrian of the exact beginning of the ped phase to make their decision to cross the street safely.

Inconsistent placement of ped buttons. One of the ped buttons is located back from the intersection (NE corner). It is difficult to find, especially if the ped phase is missed and the individual must relocate it, push it, locate the curb and check alignment before the ped phase is activated. An APS with a locator tone would make it easier to locate the ped button and catch the first ped phase.

No indication of ped button. An unfamiliar visually impaired individual approaching the intersection would not even be aware that there is a ped button there. They might attempt to cross the street with the traffic on Lee Street, and if there is only one car they would not have time to get across South Main before the end of the ped phase. An APS with a locater tone would alert blind and visually impaired individuals that there is a ped button at this intersection and they could use it to determine the beginning of the ped phase.

I am an Orientation and Mobility Specialist, meaning that I teach blind and visually impaired individuals to travel independently using a cane and/or their vision. I have used this intersection many times for assessments and training with my blind and visually impaired students. I can tell you from personal experience how difficult it is to get the ped button pushed, get lined up with traffic to cross straight, and determine the safe time to cross at this intersection. Most of my students have to push the ped button at least three times, and in many cases they must push it five or more times to get the auditory information they need to determine a safe time to cross the street. An APS would make the visual information from the ped head accessible to a visually impaired individual. It is not meant to be the only means to determine a safe time to cross the street, but one of several tools.

I appreciate your consideration of this matter. If you need to contact me I can be reached on my mobile at 817-597-6630.

Sincerely,

Melanie White, COMS

Orientation and Mobility Specialist

If you don’t receive response

  • Have client call
  • Ask if the person received the letter
  • Ask for a time to meet
  • If that’s not successful, send another letter

If no response or negative response

  • Apply political pressure
  • Send copies to county commissioner, city councilperson, state legislator, whoever is appropriate for the intersection or type of road

Sample thank you letter

December 12, 2000

Mr. Alan Borock

Department of Transportation

33402 Queens Boulevard

Long Island City, New York 11101

Dear Mr. Borock,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for contacting me by telephone last Saturday morning. I was excited to hear that audible signals will be installed in my neighborhood. This will definitely facilitate my ability to independently travel and shop in my neighborhood.

Whenever a meeting is scheduled for a demonstration of these signals I will make myself available to attend. Seeing Eye has been contacted, and they will also be anxious to send a representative to attend this meeting.

I thank you and Mr. Primeggia for assisting me in this matter.

Sincerely,

Prioritization

  • Municipality may have a system to decide priority of intersection improvements that are requested
  • Evaluate intersection and intersection features
  • One example of a prioritization rating form (Prioritization Tool) in handouts

Prioritization tool

  • There is a need to prioritize existing signalized intersections for APS installations. Two such cases include:
  • where the number of requests exceeds the funding available in a given fiscal year, and
  • where transition plans for making intersections accessible are being completed and decisions must be made about the order of installations.

Prioritization tools

  • Often, based on model developed by Patricia Montes de Oca and Brian Gallagher, forms rate each crosswalk of an intersection separately on
  • Pedestrian usage
  • Intersection conditions
  • It is not intended for application to new or reconstructed intersections.
  • In new construction or reconstruction projects, it is appropriate to consider the Draft PROWAG
  • The APS Prioritization Tool provides a score for an individual crosswalk.
  • Higher scores indicate a greater priority for APS installation.
  • Lower scores indicate a lower priority for APS.
  • There is no particular score that indicates whether APS should be installed or not.
  • The scores are intended to provide a relative prioritization scheme among a group of crosswalks.
  • The system of scoring is based on the premise that it is the individual crosswalk that is critical, as opposed to the intersection as a whole.
  • Priorities for installation should be established on the basis of individual crosswalks, rather than complete intersections
  • The total score for a crosswalk is calculated as the sum of the individual crosswalk score and the intersection score.

Figure 1 Cover sheet of draft of Prioritization Tool for Installation of PedestrianSignals includes a table to record total scores for "Crosswalks" A-H.

Prioritization tool

  • The first worksheet is the Intersection Worksheet which includes space for a simple sketch of the intersection being rated. At a minimum, the sketch should capture the following:
  • Crosswalk location and orientation, including skew and any change in direction (each one should be labeled (e.g., A, B, C, and D) for correct reference to the Crosswalk Worksheets.
  • Location of pushbuttons and other signal features.
  • Geometrics, such as islands and lane configuration.
  • Intersection Worksheet Variables
  • Configuration
  • Signalization
  • Transit Facilities within a Block (~ 1/8 mile) of Intersection — Any Leg
  • Distance to Facility Providing Services to the Blind or Visually Impaired
  • Distance to Major Pedestrian Attractions

Figure 2 An Intersection Worksheet includes information such as location, a sketch of the crosswalks, configuration of the intersection, signalization, transit facilities within a block, distance to facility for visually impaired, distance to major pedestrian attraction, and other intersection level issues.

Prioritization Tool

  • The second worksheet is the Crosswalk Worksheet and is used for describing the features associated with each crosswalk at the intersection.
  • A separate crosswalk worksheet should be completed for each crosswalk at the intersection.

Crosswalk Worksheet Variables

  • Crosswalk Width
  • Speed Limit (street being crossed)
  • Approach/Crosswalk Geometrics
  • Curb radius > 25 ft (either corner)
  • Islands or medians
  • Transverse slope on crosswalk (cross slope)
  • Apex (diagonal) curb ramp (either corner)
    Channelized right-turn lane island
  • Skewed crosswalk
  • Pedestrian Signal Control
  • Push button actuation required for WALK
  • Non-concurrent WALK interval
  • Leading Pedestrian Interval — LPI (with parallel street green)
  • Timed for crossing to median island
  • Vehicle Signal Control
  • Right-Turn-On-Red (RTOR) permitted (on parallel street)
  • Leading protected left-turn phase (on parallel street)
  • Protected right-turn-only phase (on parallel street)
  • Channelized right-turn lane under signal control
  • Off-Peak Traffic Presence
  • Distance to Alternative APS Crossing
  • Pedestrian Pushbutton Location (either corner)
  • Requests for APS

Figure 3 A Crosswalk Worksheet includes location, crosswalk label, crosswalk width, posted speed limit, approach/crosswalk geometrics, pedestrian signal control, vehicle signal control, off-peak traffic presence, distance to alternative APS crosswalk, pedestrian pushbutton location for either corner, other crosswalk level issues, and requests for APS.

Prioritization tool

  • a Supplemental Form is provided for those locations where more drawings or additional notes may be required

Figure 4 A Supplemental Worksheet contains information that includes location, supplemental sketch and supplemental notes.

Figure 5 An aerial photo of an intersection with one of the four walks outlined in black.

Figure 6 The Intersection Worksheet showing a sketch of the intersection.

Figure 7 A completed Crosswalk Worksheet includes the Crosswalk Worksheet and Intersection Worksheet scores and the Total Crosswalk Score of "7".

Funding

  • Often a big question from engineers
  • Politics are involved
  • Citizen pressure can change the funding situation

Facts you should know

  • Cost of APS around $500 per device, or $4000 for all crosswalks of a four-legged intersection
  • In older intersections, installation can require new wiring and new poles
  • However…..

Cost is relative

  • Cost of signalizing an intersection that had previously not had signals is $80,000 to $100,000.
  • Can be much higher
  • Adding APS at $4000, when you’re talking about already spending $100,000, is not so big

Funding sources

  • Federal transportation funds
  • State transportation funds
  • Community development block grants
  • Developers required to improve infrastructure for their development
  • Private funding, donations

Helpful Resources

  • Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Synthesis and Guide to Best Practice; Prepared by National Cooperative Highway Research Program; Barlow, Bentzen, Tabor; Access for the Blind; May 2003
  • Texas version:

Questions?

Contact information:

Melanie White, COMS®

817-629-0044

Downloadable Resources

APS Synthesis and Guide

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: AGuide to Best Practices

National Cooperative Highway Research Program

This conference is planned and sponsored by the Southwest Orientation and Mobility Association (SWOMA). This event is funded by conference registration fees, with additional support provided by Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Outreach Programs. We appreciate the contribution of our speakers who generously donated their time to present at this event.

Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired Outreach Programs serves as the fiscal agent for this event.

Figure 1 TSBVI Outreach Programs logo.

SWOMA 2011-12 – Meeting with Traffic Enigeers, White, 20111