[passcoalition] Re: FW: Summary of Yesterday's Meeting with PASS
- From: Karen Gourgey <karen.gourgey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "'passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx'" <passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2011 20:14:58 +0000
Yep, I think that's the idea.
Karen
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: passcoalition-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:passcoalition-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Maria Hansen
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 3:02 PM
To: passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [passcoalition] Re: FW: Summary of Yesterday's Meeting with PASS
Thanks for the summary.
I am curious about the flyer and Matt's mailing list. I don't know who that
reaches. Perhaps that could be shared with our various organizational lists
and publications targeting blind consumers, etc.
Maria
----- Original Message -----
From: "Karen Gourgey" <karen.gourgey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <passcoalition@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 2:38 PM
Subject: [passcoalition] FW: Summary of Yesterday's Meeting with PASS
Hi All,
Below is the summary of our meeting that I have just sent to Matt. Note
that Margaret Newman already has our proposal for modifying the
prioritization tool, as I copied her when I sent it to MOPD on Tuesday
evening. No word from her in response to my call.
Karen
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: Karen Gourgey
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 1:59 PM
To: Sapolin, Matthew
Subject: Summary of Yesterday's Meeting with PASS
Dear Matt,
Thanks very much for meeting with us yesterday; I think it was very useful,
and PASS is looking forward to seeing some real progress. Incidentally,
Ken called me this morning to say that the DOT rep at his Community board
meeting last night, announced that they had decided to put APS's on all
four corners at 7th and 23rd. Hmm, maybe they're starting to get the
message?? Anyway, here's the summary:
The meeting focused on three areas: presentation and discussion of the
modified prioritization tool for use in New York City; Access and safety
difficulties for travelers with vision loss expected if the planned
reconstruction at 7th avenue and 23rd street proceeds without APS's and
other treatments; Next steps for PASS and the Mayor's office.
Prioritization tool: The scope and purpose of the original tool were
explained and then the proposed modifications were presented along with
their rationales. Matt appeared to embrace the suggested changes. He will
show them to his architect and then send the modified tool to DOT with the
strong recommendation that they adopt it as their way for prioritizing APS
requests in all boroughs except Staten Island, for which the original tool
seems to be sufficient.
Twenty Third Street and 7th Gene and Annalyn presented the problem of
bulbouts, undetectable medians, and problematic turn lanes. No one was clear
as to exactly what if any vehicular use might be made of the planned
pedestrian plaza. We pointed out that this underscored the need for PASS to
speak regularly with a responsible party from DOT. Printouts of the 23rd and
7th slide show created by DOT for the 7th avenue and 23rd street project
were left with Matt, they included drawings by Gene as to what would be
needed to fix the problem. These will be delivered to DOT with a request
that they take immediate action.
Here are the major concerns we detailed about the 23 Street reconfiguration:
- APS properly placed at all crosswalks and at the new median pedestrian
refuges
- Properly installed detectable warning surfaces for all curb cuts and at
the cut-throughs at the new median pedestrian refuges
- Signal timing that allows for appropriate pedestrian clearance intervals
for all crosswalks using the 3.5 foot per second measure Next Steps 1. .
Matt committed to getting PASS a liaison from DOT; our first interaction
with that individual will be the conversation relating to 7th avenue and
23rd street pointing out the changes that are needed and requesting that
they be incorporated into the plan.
2. We discussed the immediate and urgent need for training for traffic
engineers with experts such as Janet Barlow and/or Lukas Franck. Matt will
strongly recommend this to DOT. (And, we have contact info for both, if
needed.)
3. Matt will call Karen within four business days with the name of the DOT
liaison. (Matt, you mentioned Friday, but I just stuck the four day thing
in for a little flexibility if needed.) Matt will also reach out to the
DFTACommissioner, in hopes of adding aging to the interested and supportive
parties.
4. PASS will go through the list of requested APS's from DOT and indicate
those with highest preference among members.
5. Matt's office will send flyer to its mailing list, soliciting other
requests. Karen will edit flyer and send it back to Matthew Puvogel for
distribution by Friday, February 18.
6. Matt will alert DOT to the fact that we need a searchable, text-based
"map" indicating bike lane locations throughout the city, to be used by any
pedestrian, when planning a route.
That's the end of the summary as I have it. If you have any questions,
write or call me at 646 312-1426.
Thanks again, Matt, very much for your time and commitment on this issue..
All Best,
Karen
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