[tabi] Re: FW: Your opinions needed from StarMetro

  • From: "Evelyn Worley" <eworley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2013 08:25:14 -0500

If the acrylic braille plates are anything like the ones for the gates of the 
transfer plaza, it appears they can be vandalized fairly easily. There are a 
few at the transfer plaza where the braille has been scraped or cut off. With 
the time, money, and effort involved to put them up, I think durability is 
important. 

Would the metal and acrylic braille plates be ordered from the same company? 
Perhaps the metal plates could be put at the major transfer areas and those 
stops that have been requested, and the acrylic plates be put at others. 


Evelyn Worley, COMS, CVRT
Assistant Director
Lighthouse of the Big Bend
(850) 942-3658 x203
Fax (850) 942-4518

Lighthouse of the Big Bend "Guiding People Through Vision Loss"
3071 Highland Oaks Terrace, Tallahassee, FL 32301

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Sila Miller 
  To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Friday, March 01, 2013 8:28 PM
  Subject: [tabi] Re: FW: Your opinions needed from StarMetro


  Thanks for the explanation, Mr. Waterman. I am of the opinion that quality 
wins out over quantity every time so would vote for the more durable signs. As 
far as their placement, of course, I'd love one at the first stop on Village 
Square after the Red Hills bus makes a left off Killearn Center Blvd! However, 
I realize this isn't a high-volume stop. I'd suggest one at the Lighthouse for 
mobility training purposes and perhaps one near the DBS and VR offices on 
Executive Center Blvd. 
  Again, thanks!
  Sila 
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Waterman, Brian 
    To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    Sent: Friday, March 01, 2013 11:15 AM
    Subject: [tabi] FW: Your opinions needed from StarMetro


     

     

    From: Waterman, Brian 
    Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2013 12:54 PM
    To: 'Sila Miller'; tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
    Cc: Erica; Julia Kamm-Cohen; Amanda Kan; Angel Scruggs Fazio; Barbara Ross; 
Elizabeth S. Bowden; Eva McElvy; Jeanine Kane; Jennifer Crowder; Michael 
Worley; Sharon - home; Simone Cunningham; Tinetta Cooper; Toni King; Wayne 
Warner
    Subject: RE: [tabi] Your opinions needed from StarMetro

     

    Sila's request on the texting for real time next bus information prompts a 
discussion on durability vs. availability. It is our plan to add real time next 
bus information with the texting code later this year, probably by summer. The 
stop code on the braille plates would provide this information if texted to 
2722. My budget, however, for the braille plates is $20,000. A highly durable 
metal braille plate costs approximately $35/pole. After factoring in 
replacement costs, I can add braille plates to 250 to 300 poles (up to 30% of 
our stops). If we go with a lower quality acrylic plate ($10 or less per pole), 
I could probably cover every stop. These plates, which I have a sample, do have 
durability issues. 

     

    I would like to continue this discussion for another week. Based on the 
consensus of the responses, I will draft specifications for the braille plates. 
Thank you for all your input. 

     

    From: Sila Miller [mailto:silam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
    Sent: Monday, February 25, 2013 2:10 PM
    To: Waterman, Brian; tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
    Cc: Erica; Julia Kamm-Cohen; Amanda Kan; Angel Scruggs Fazio; Barbara Ross; 
Elizabeth S. Bowden; Eva McElvy; Jeanine Kane; Jennifer Crowder; Michael 
Worley; Sharon - home; Simone Cunningham; Tinetta Cooper; Toni King; Wayne 
Warner
    Subject: Re: [tabi] Your opinions needed from StarMetro

     

    Dear Mr. Waterman,

     

    Thanks for consulting us on these issues and listening to our input. I 
applaud the City and StarMetro for installing audible pedestrian signals (APS) 
at 10 out of the 15 stops previously identified!

     

    I believe the APS at Adams St. and Tennessee St. should still be considered 
a high priority as the Greyhound station is directly across the street from the 
plaza and is frequented by folks with disabilities. 

    Seventh Ave. and Monroe St. (near the Senior Center) should also continue 
to be seen as a priority as well for the above stated reason(s).

     

    As far as the braille signage, I'd like to ask where we are with the 
texting ability (code) to know where the bus is prior to commenting on the 
placement of the signs. Most of us who already use the bus probably know where 
the poles we frequent are (some hard lessons learned by missing buses) are but 
if the texting ability is available then that puts a whole new spin on things. 

     

    Again, thanks much for soliciting our comments and opinions!

     

    Sila Miller 

     

      ----- Original Message ----- 

      From: Evelyn Worley 

      To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

      Cc: Wayne Warner ; Toni King ; Tinetta Cooper ; Simone Cunningham ; 
Sharon - home ; Michael Worley ; Jennifer Crowder ; Jeanine Kane ; Eva McElvy ; 
Elizabeth S. Bowden ; Barbara Ross ; Angel Scruggs Fazio ; Amanda Kan ; Julia 
Kamm-Cohen ; Waterman, Brian 

      Sent: Sunday, February 24, 2013 3:01 PM

      Subject: [tabi] Your opinions needed from StarMetro

       

      Hi everyone. Brian Waterman with StarMetro asked if I could help out with 
getting opinions and/or a consensus from the blind community about the 
following items by this Friday, 3/1. In addition to posting on TABI, feel free 
to send your comments directly to Brian at Brian.Waterman@xxxxxxxxxx . 

       

      1.     FTA funding has now been approved to proceed with installing the 
braille signage at bus stops! It is logical to begin installing them in the 
areas where the bus routes intersect. What other areas and stops do you see as 
a priority, and why? 

       

       

      2.     So far, the City and StarMetro have installed audible signals/APS 
at 10 out of the 15 intersections that were identified as being "high 
priority." The rest are still in the works. A change to the priority list (see 
attached list) has been requested. When the list was originally created, it was 
determined that an audible signal/APS at Adams St. and Tennessee St. was of 
high priority. Since then, several of the buses have been re-routed to go into 
the transfer plaza, decreasing the necessity for riders to walk in the vicinity 
to make their transfers. It is being recommended that the Adams and Tennessee 
intersection be dropped to a lower priority. Instead, it is being recommended 
that the city proceed with installation of audible signals/APS at the two 
following intersections (already listed as a high priority): a) Mahan Dr. and 
Magnolia Dr. and b) Seventh Ave. and Monroe St. (near the Senior Center). 

       

      Please weigh in on each of these topics. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

       

       


      Evelyn Worley, COMS, CVRT
      Assistant Director
      Lighthouse of the Big Bend
      (850) 942-3658 x203
      Fax (850) 942-4518

      Lighthouse of the Big Bend "Guiding People Through Vision Loss"
      3071 Highland Oaks Terrace, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Other related posts: