[passcoalition] Southeast Corner, 7th and 23rd street

From: Karen Gourgey <karen.gourgey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Forgione, Margaret (mforgione@xxxxxxxxxxx)" <mforgione@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:30:41 +0000

Dear Margaret,

Thank you for alerting PASS regarding the difficulty installing a new pole on 
the southeast corner of 23rd Street and 7th Avenue for an Accessible Pedestrian 
Signal for the east crosswalk.

Although we do not know the exact nature of the subsurface condition at this 
intersection, we have spoken with Lukas Franck, an Orientation and Mobility 
Specialist who is experienced with access issues and working with traffic 
engineers regarding the proper installation of APS.   It was suggested that a 
shallow channel could be chopped into the sidewalk concrete to carry a cable 
over from the existing pole to allow an new pole to be placeds within 5 feet of 
the east crosswalk.  We request that you explore this option.    

Installing an Accessible Pedestrian Signal on the existing pole will not comply 
with MUTCD 2009 specifically section 4E.08
04   If pedestrian pushbuttons are used, they should be capable of easy 
activation and conveniently located near each end of the crosswalks. Except as 
provided in Paragraphs 5 and 6, pedestrian pushbuttons should be located to 
meet all of the following criteria (see Figure 4E-3):

C. Between the edge of the crosswalk line (extended) farthest from the center 
of the intersection and the side of a curb ramp (if present), but not greater 
than 5 feet from said crosswalk line;


Using the existing pole will require a blind pedestrian to locate the pole to 
activate the pushbutton, then locate the crosswalk and align to cross in a 
short period of time.  In order to save time, a blind pedestrian may begin 
crossing from the pole.  This may place the pedestrian dangerously close to the 
parallel traffic, possibly veering into 7th Avenue.  

Although you have stated that the vibrating tactile arrow will still point to 
23rd Street, please be aware that blind travelers without a hearing loss 
infrequently refer to this arrow.  

We thank you for listening, and we look forward to working with you to develop 
a solution to this issue.

Best,

Karen Gourgey






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/

[passcoalition] Southeast Corner, 7th and 23rd street

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