Crossing the Rubicon

The City Council are making improvements, or simply changes, to the locality, which are including the replacement of pedestrian crossing signals - new for old. Now this would be all well and good (assuming that the old signals were on their last legs and it's not just spending for the sake of it) except for the small but at the same time huge fact that the old signals were both audio-visual while these new ones are completely silent. And the problem is? Well, try knowing when to safely cross the road at a silent pedestrian crossing with your eyes closed.

According to the National Council for the Blind in Ireland (NCBI), there is best practice for pedestrian crossings. See point #2 below in particular.

*Pedestrian Crossings
1. Crossings should always be at right angles to the street.
2. NCBI Policy states: “Where a green man crossing signal is provided for pedestrians, it should be accompanied by an audible signal for the benefit of blind and vision impaired people” Modern Push Button Units (PBU’s) all come equipped with tactile as well as audible signals. People with hearing loss as well as sight loss can use the tactile signal to verify that it is safe to cross. Push buttons should be consistently located at a level of 900mm - 1,100mm above ground level.
3. At traffic light controlled crossroads, and all major junctions, provision should be made for a safe time period and safe crossing points for pedestrians. If this is not possible, pedestrian crossings should be provided at safe but convenient distances from the junction.
4. Textured surfaces should be provided on the footpath to indicate where crossing points are. If possible, a textured surface should be laid across the road to help the person with vision impairment to maintain a straight line of travel while crossing. (Ref. Guidance on the use of Tactile Paving Surfaces).
5. Where road crossing entails negotiating a central island, this should be clearly identifiable by means of a raised section of pavement with barriers. Separate, readily distinguishable signals for both crossings must be provided.
*Source:
http://www.ncbi.ie/information-for/architects-engineers/guidelines-for-accessibility-of-the-built-environment

I have written to the Cork City Council on two occasions in the last few weeks but have recieved no clarification, just an acknowledgement of receipt of query. So they can hear me knocking but...

Hopefully the NCBI will be able to clarify further.

See also:
http://www.ncbi.ie/news/press-releases/2007-04-03_dublin-city-council-settles-equality-case-on-audible-pedestrian-crossing-signals

http://www.pwdi.ie/news_events/newsletter/cumhacht9h.htm

http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:_tvfya1v9GcJ:www.equality.ie/getFile.asp%3FFC_ID%3D392%26docID%3D690+pedestrian+crossings+law+audible&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=ie