Mike, using this tool we need to remember how it was designed and how it can be interpreted. As the guide says, 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. Therefore, priorities for installation should be established on the basis of individual crosswalks, rather than complete intersections. And the scores are used to compare a group of potential crosswalks. The absolute score cannot legitimately be used to create a cut-off point that determines when to install an APS. The designers of the prioritization specifically warned against using any particular number to set a cut-off score. I'm not sure I understand the comment about "outside Manhattan." We submitted a PASS priority list that had potential pedestrian-requested crosswalks in all the boroughs for them to assess and install. So the DOT should have this list. Is BCID advocating separately for APS installations beyond what PASS has submitted. Of course, that's great, but it would be nice to know. Thanks for clarifying, Mike. Gene Dr. Eugene A Bourquin _____________________________ DHA, COMS, CI & CT, CLVT Support deafblind children in Guatemala! Go to www.FRIENDSofFUNDAL.org Visit: http://www.bourquinconsulting.com/ Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:24:32 -0400 From: mikeg125@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [passcoalition] Re: FW: Request for an Update To: passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Karen, I turned in at least thirty in Brooklyn alone. It’s nice that Margret is working so closely with PASS however, this is not useful outside of Manhattan. I have some High school and Vision’s interns who have surveyed only ten intersections in Brooklyn using the prioritization tool. Eight of the ten scored over one hundred and only two scored in the ninety’s hence they discerned the need line to be a score of one hundred. I plan to use these finding as evidence in my next approach to the Brooklyn DOT Commissioner. To this point the Commissioner has been unreceptive. Mike, the lone wolf in Brooklyn From: passcoalition-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:passcoalition-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Karen Gourgey Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2011 11:54 PM To: passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [passcoalition] Re: FW: Request for an Update So, I want to respond; one thing is they’re apparently working with Matt’s office to get some training for their folk in the fall, but I’d like them to commit to involving us in their discussions, especially around the streetscape stuff. And, when that list of 30 comes out, I would think we might want to respond, since we know that if they had accepted the modification tool that we suggestede, there could be a heck of a lot more than 30, even though I know they’ll holler budget. More tomorrow. Please share thoughts, and thanks Ray and Gene for weighing in. Karen From: passcoalition-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:passcoalition-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Gene Bourquin DHA Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2011 11:04 PM To: PASS listserv Subject: [passcoalition] Re: FW: Request for an Update Ray, I've never heard sight impaired except from nervous politicians who can't remember what to say. Do they think it is the National Federation of the I don't see too well? For me, that a high ranking DOT person says audible pedestrian signals, and not accessible pedestrian signals, is worrisome. It is their vocabulary from their field. Looks like the 100 APS will be something short of 30 for the next year. But this is progress. Thanks Karen. Gene Dr. Eugene A Bourquin _____________________________ DHA, COMS, CI & CT, CLVT Support deafblind children in Guatemala! Go to www.FRIENDSofFUNDAL.org Visit: http://www.bourquinconsulting.com/ > From: rwayne1@xxxxxxxxxx > To: passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: [passcoalition] Re: FW: Request for an Update > Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:56:32 -0400 > > I'll sleep better tonight knowing that there are thirty new APS's being > planned! Is she allergic to the word "blind?" > Ok, I'd better shut up now. > Ray > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Karen Gourgey <karen.gourgey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> > To: "'passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Date: Thursday, Jul 21, 2011 18:00:32 > Subject: [passcoalition] FW: Request for an Update > > > > > > > > > > > Karen Luxton Gourgey Ed.D., Director > > Computer Center for Visually Impaired People > > Baruch College, City University of New York > > One Bernard Baruch Way, Box H-0648 > > New York, NY 10010 > > Phone: (646) 312-1426 > > Fax: (646) 312-1421 > > http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/ccvip/ > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Newman, Margaret [mailto:MNewman@xxxxxxxxxxx] > > Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2011 5:49 PM > > To: Karen Gourgey > > Cc: Sapolin, Matthew > > Subject: RE: Request for an Update > > > > Dear Karen, > > > > Thank you for your note. Although we have not communicated in a while, we > > have been making progress here. The project at 23rd and 7th with Audible > > Pedestrian signals is nearly complete and we hope to make an announcement > > in the next couple of weeks. Speaker Quinn is very supportive of the > > project and may also participate in the announcement. We will of course > > include representatives from PASS. > > > > We are coordinating with Commissioner Sapolin's office to schedule a > > workshop to review criteria for navigating around the city for sight > > impaired pedestrians. We hope to schedule this in the fall for our signals > > group to assist them in evaluating locations for new APS locations as well > > as street geometric redesign. > > > > As for our evaluations of APS locations, our signals division has been > > proceeding with analysis of proposed locations and has ranked approximately > > 30 locations. We are awaiting the new signals and hope to begin work on > > some of the locations later this year. We should be able to announce those > > at the same time that we open the signals on 23rd still. > > > > As for our new wayfinding initiative, we are in the process of selecting a > > consultant and provisions for sight impaired and physically impaired > > pedestrians will certainly be part of the task order. We are continuing > > work on the navigational description that Commissioner Forgione shared with > > your group earlier at the 23rd St. site visit. > > > > We look forward to our continuing collaboration to make the streets easier > > to navigate and share with you in the goal to make NYC a stellar example of > > access. > > > > Regards, > > > > Margaret > > > > ____________________________________________________________ > > Margaret Newman AIA, LEED AP | Chief of Staff | NYC Dept Of Transportation > > 55 Water St. New York, NY 10041 | 212 839 6408 | mnewman@xxxxxxxxxxx > > > > Connect with NYCDOT: > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Karen Gourgey [mailto:karen.gourgey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] > > Sent: Sunday, July 10, 2011 4:25 PM > > To: Newman, Margaret; Sapolin, Matthew > > Subject: Request for an Update > > > > > > Dear Margaret: > > > > I'm writing on behalf of the PASS Coalition to inquire about progress with > > the list of requested intersections for accessible pedestrian signals. We > > note that the installation of countdowns, plazas, and bike lanes is > > proceeding apace. We read with interest the Times article describing the > > City's plans to pilot new signage containing street maps, and we trust that > > DOT is considering ways that pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired > > will be able to benefit from this additional information. but we have not > > seen any movement in terms of APS installations. The City is becoming more > > difficult to navigate for us almost on a daily basis, and we can't afford > > to lose the momentum we thought we had begun to achieve earlier this year. > > > > As I think you know, we stand ready to assist and support DOT in any way we > > can, but we do need to know where things stand with regard to DOT's plans > > for aps installations and for ensuring safe and independent access to all > > of the city's streets and avenues for people with vision loss. > > > > We look forward to hearing from you and to continuing to work together, so > > that new York city really can become an unparalleled example of access for > > all. > > > > Sincerely, > > > > Karen Gourgey, PASS Chair > > > > Karen Luxton Gourgey Ed.D., Director > > Computer Center for Visually Impaired People > > Baruch College, City University of New York > > One Bernard Baruch Way, Box H-0648 > > New York, NY 10010 > > Phone: (646) 312-1426 > > Fax: (646) 312-1421 > > http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/ccvip/ > > > > > > > > ************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* > > This message and any attachments are solely for the individual(s) named > > above and others who have been specifically authorized to receive such and > > may contain information which is confidential, privileged or exempt from > > disclosure under applicable law. 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