Bill.Burgess@f101.n229.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Burgess) (04/26/91)
Index Number: 15257
SYSOPS- Please note that this has been posted in the Abled,
SilentTalk and Blinktalk echos as it applies to each and may save a
life of a user.
The following is a reprint of an article in the TORONTO STAR of
Saturday, April 20th. It is the solutions taken following the
deaths of two people last year on the Toronto subway system. As
similar problems are occuring in Vancouver B.C. thus far having no
deaths recorded, I hope others with rail transit will apply it and
address authorities if the problem is in your area.
Chimes, platform markers unveiled for subway safety
New TTC subway chimes, dramatically larger edge markers for subway
platforms and other possible safety improvements have been unveiled
by transit commission officials.
Instead of the familiar double tweet of a whistle, subway riders
could soon hear three mellow chimes mark the closing of subway
doors. A single note will sound when the doors begin to open.
As well, an orange light will flash above each door to help those
with hearing problems.
The chimes are among 18 changes the Toronto Transit Commission is
making to its subway equipment, staffing and training in response
to the death of John James Morrison in November, 1989. Morrison
became trapped in the doors of a subway train at the Spadina
station and was dragged to his death.
TTC officials hope the new subway platform edge markers will help
prevent a death similar to that of Rebecca Noble, a blind Metro
woman who was crushed by a subway train after she became
disoriented and fell on to the tracks at Lawrence West station.
Geoff Eden, technical aids co-ordinator for the CNIB, said the new
markers will be a big improvement.
The old markers were narrow, eight centimeter (three inch) wide
sections of wavy black and yellow material. The new ones will be
more than half a meter (two feet) wide and are much bumpier.
The chimes will be tested, starting Monday, for two months on a
single six-car train on the Bloor-Danforth subway line. end of
article.
As several blind, including two guide dog users have fallen onto
the tracks in Toronto, action was taken. In B.C. the Skytrain
Authority brushes this problem off as a mobility problem and turns
it over to the CNIB, as several blind persons have fallen onto
their tracks as well. The British Columbia Washington Guide Dog
Users are pursueing this problem and I am forwarding a brailled
copy of this to them. And as the new CNIB District Administrator
for our area served on the subway safety review panel, our
resources are good. Hope this post saves injuries and lives of
those in your area.
Bill
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!229!101!Bill.Burgess
Internet: Bill.Burgess@f101.n229.z1.fidonet.orgBill.Burgess@f101.n229.z1.fidonet.org (Bill Burgess) (04/26/91)
Index Number: 15258
Just a footnote re the above problem. Being involved with three of
Rebecca (Becky) Noble's classmates and a close friend in Toronto,
Whitby and Belleville drives this tragedy much closer to home. In
addition, two who fell onto the tracks were friends/classmates of
these as well. The hurt is very deep. We must fight to the end with
any authority that refuses to accept system user safety as their
responsibility, and use every avenue of approach until an
acceptable solution is in place. We need each and every one of
you.
Lets not have another death to draw attention to the need for
increased safety measures. Address the problem now.
Love each and all of you,
Bill
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!229!101!Bill.Burgess
Internet: Bill.Burgess@f101.n229.z1.fidonet.org34AEJ7D@CMUVM.BITNET (Bill Gorman) (05/01/91)
Index Number: 15265 GUIDE DOG users fell onto the tracks??? In such a case, I cannot help entertaining a certain suspicion that they may have been *pushed* onto the tracks for kicks by some sicko TAButthead. I have seen, and experienced, attitudes like this among the TAB community. Of course, I come from a family full of cops, and tend to have developed a suspicious outlook on my "fellow man". W. K. (Bill) Gorman