I dread to think of the implications for a rehabilitation officer that has
to try to teach a visually impaired person (VIP) a safe and memorable route
of travel. More importantly are the implications for a VIP - as well as
making the route dangerous and lacking in location clues, this type of
scheme will no doubt include the effect of limiting independence.
I should imagine that vehicles using this type of road would be travelling
quite slowly, which would give the motorist more time to see a VI P using a
cane. But, many visually impaired people don't use a cane or any other
distinguishing equipment/apparel and so the driver of the vehicle would not
know to be aware that this person might suddenly turn into the direction
that the vehicle is travelling. Also, a slow car doesn't usually make much
noise and so the VI P will have even less of a chance of detecting that the
car is there.
It seems to me that there hasn't been a widely accepted solution to merging
accessibility needs with aesthetics and so I think this scheme is just
another suck it and see exercise that will turn out to be less accessible
and less acceptable than what we already have, therefore I cannot imagine it
being actually implemented as it is planned.
Regards
Elaine Pinkney
-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Marcus Ormerod
Sent: 08 January 2005 14:19
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Pilot scheme to remove road markings and kerbs.
Hi Carol
Thanks for responding and as you say hopefully as you say the end result
will not be as the Times indicated in terms of a free-for-all with no
delineation. It is hard enough to get people to park their cars on the road
and not intrude onto the pavement when there is a kerb!
Of course if it does go ahead people could legitimately walk in the middle
of the road as it effectively does become a pedestrianised area.
Regards
Marcus
-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Thomas, Carol
Sent: 07 January 2005 16:47
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ACCESSIBUILT] Pilot scheme to remove road markings and kerbs.
There is an access group set up for this proposal by the Local Access
Officer which JMU has been invited to join along with others representing a
range of disability interests, they have appointed an access consultant and
an access champion - so hopefully the eventual scheme will be different to
that described in the Times article!
Carol
________________________________
From: Accessibuilt list on behalf of Marcus Ormerod
Sent: Fri 07/01/2005 14:57
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [ACCESSIBUILT] Pilot scheme to remove road markings and kerbs.
Did anyone read about the proposal to remove all street furniture, pavements
and road markings on Exhibition Road in London to showcase street design
where cars and people are encouraged to mingle. The time yesterday had an
article on it at the following address, it is free for one week for UK but
not sure what happens if accessing the article from elsewhere:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,173-1427660,00.html
They are even removing the kerbs as well as street signs and traffic lights
and "the question of who has priority will deliberately be left open." I can
see the logic from the point of view of the motorist having to take greater
care and more responsibility but I cannot see that this outweighs the loss
of tapping point for cane users and designated crossing points.
Regards
Marcus
Marcus Ormerod
SURFACE Inclusive Design Research Centre
The University of Salford
Bridgewater Building
Salford, UK
M7 1NU
Tel +44 (0)161 295 5405
Fax +44 (0)161 295 5011
Minicom +44 (0)161 295 3194
Web http://www.inclusive-design.it
Email [log in to unmask]
Best practice guide http://www.accesscode.info
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