At a time when visually challenged commuters continue to wait for good Samaritans
to help them cross roads, many activists have urged the traffic police
to set up audible traffic signals at busy junctions across the city.
Experts say audible traffic signals are a must in the city to help visually challenged. "It could be a pre-recorded voice traffic guidance or instrumental music traffic guidance attached to the traffic signals," said Govinda Krishnan, founder of Nethrodaya, which works for the visually challenged.
The talking signal tells motorists to halt before the stop line. In 2009, the Chennai city traffic police had introduced audible traffic signals as a pilot project. However, the signals stopped functioning because of technical glitches and the plan to extend the facility was dropped.
Additional commissioner of police (traffic) Karuna Sagar said they were considering reviving the system. "We will conduct a study to identify junctions. We have also decided to depute more policemen at important junctions to help disabled commuters."
Govinda Krishnan suggested that traffic police involve visually challenged people while identifying the traffic signals.
Under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, the government and local authorities should install audible traffic signals on public roads for the visually challenged. Many disabled commuters said it is difficult to move around the city without fear of accidents. "There are not many footpaths. Once the system is in place, a visually challenged pedestrian will be able to cross the road without help from others," said P Aruna Devi, a visually impaired person and member of TN Handicapped Federation Charitable Trust.
Shreya Gadepalli, programme director at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy said: "Pelican lights should be installed at junctions where traffic is bad. It should be integrated with audible traffic signals to help visually challenged." At a pelican crossing, a pedestrian presses a button on a control box that will activate the signal and help them cross the road.
Source : TOI , Chennai ( 13th Feb 2013 )
Experts say audible traffic signals are a must in the city to help visually challenged. "It could be a pre-recorded voice traffic guidance or instrumental music traffic guidance attached to the traffic signals," said Govinda Krishnan, founder of Nethrodaya, which works for the visually challenged.
The talking signal tells motorists to halt before the stop line. In 2009, the Chennai city traffic police had introduced audible traffic signals as a pilot project. However, the signals stopped functioning because of technical glitches and the plan to extend the facility was dropped.
Additional commissioner of police (traffic) Karuna Sagar said they were considering reviving the system. "We will conduct a study to identify junctions. We have also decided to depute more policemen at important junctions to help disabled commuters."
Govinda Krishnan suggested that traffic police involve visually challenged people while identifying the traffic signals.
Under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, the government and local authorities should install audible traffic signals on public roads for the visually challenged. Many disabled commuters said it is difficult to move around the city without fear of accidents. "There are not many footpaths. Once the system is in place, a visually challenged pedestrian will be able to cross the road without help from others," said P Aruna Devi, a visually impaired person and member of TN Handicapped Federation Charitable Trust.
Shreya Gadepalli, programme director at the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy said: "Pelican lights should be installed at junctions where traffic is bad. It should be integrated with audible traffic signals to help visually challenged." At a pelican crossing, a pedestrian presses a button on a control box that will activate the signal and help them cross the road.
Source : TOI , Chennai ( 13th Feb 2013 )
No comments:
Post a Comment