Due to the strength of the sound signal from at least three traffic lights at the same time, a blind person would find it difficult to navigate in which direction to cross, explained the deputy
Ivan Belchev signalize RZI for strengthat the sound of a traffic light in ruse.
After a conversation with the Union of the Blind in Bulgaria regarding strengththat of the sound signal of the traffic light systems of crossroadon Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd. with Saedinenie Blvd. and Petko D. Petkov St. it was established that because strengththat of the sound signal simultaneously from at least three traffic lights, one blind it would be difficult to know which direction to cross. The concrete example is from the traffic light in front of the Serdika block in the direction of the Pantheon. The loud sound can be heard in a radius of 120 meters even at the entrance to the Park of the Renaissance near the Pantheon, on crossroadit on Petko D. Petkov Street with Asen Zlatarov Street and in the residences of rusenci, explained the representative and applied the sound propagation graph.
The green light is accompanied by a sound signal requires the placement of tactile identification strips from blindthe footpaths, as well as mandatory bevelling. On this crossroad these mandatory elements are missing and so Municipality ruse violates the requirements for an accessible environment for the population, including the disabled.
“In response to my question to the Municipality ruse it is stated that no problem has been found – “Regarding the sound signalization for the disabled, I inform you that the buzzers have the relevant quality certificate and meet the standards. They are encapsulated and not subject to correction.”
Please check it strengthof the sound both near the traffic lights and 120 meters from them, as well as the direction of sound emission. The sound should be no more than 5 dB(A) above strengthof the sound from the background noise and not to be heard more than 5 meters from the traffic light, so as not to create confusion for pedestrians.“, the national representative also wrote in his letter to the director of RZI – ruse.
According to ORDER No. 17 OF JULY 23, 2001 REGULATING TRAFFIC ON ROADS WITH LIGHTS SIGNALAnd:
Art. 30. (1) To facilitate the blindthe pedestrians signalthe green light is accompanied by a sound signal.
(2)…Strengththat of the sound according to para. 1 should be no more than 5 dB(A) above strengthof the sound from the background noise of the regulated place.
(4) The sound signal according to para. 1 must be directed along the footpath for which it is intended and ends at the same time as the end of the green signal for pedestrians.
(6) In the case under para. 1 sidewalks on footpaths must be sloped and tactile stripes are placed for identification by blindpedestrian paths and pedestrian buttons, respectively, according to Art. 12 and 13 of Ordinance No. 4 of 2009 on the design, implementation and maintenance of constructions in accordance with the requirements for an accessible environment for the population, including the disabled
“The problems described in this way have been solved by a number of cities and I don’t know why Municipality ruse did not take from their experience. Even the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications identified the problem and proposed a change in the regulation: “To facilitate citizens with visual impairments at crossing at intersections the audible signalwhich is activated at a green pedestrian traffic light, will have a different sound and/or different duration of the sound and/or pause in the different directions of crossing. For their easier orientation, the buttons that activate pedestrian crossing permits signal, will make a sound that indicates the location of the button itself. After activating the button, its sound will stop. The guidance sound should be with strengthallowing its perception at a distance of up to 2 meters from the button.“, Mr. Belchev concluded his letter.
