HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2012-04-26Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday April 26th, 2012 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Gordon Cummer (Co- Chair), Anthony Cashin (Co- Chair), David Kuhn, Carrie Speers,
Mike Shipley, Dorothy Staal, Andrew Tufty, Paula Saunders, Dawn Griffin, Amanda Moorhead,
Stephannie Leach, Kaitlyn Draker (Twp of Wellesley), Julia Sippel (North Dumfries), Vanessa Lopak
(Region of Waterloo), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener /City of Waterloo), Lori Palubeski (City of
Kitchener), Councillor Kelly Galloway (City of Kitchener), Councillor Jean Haalboom (Region of
Waterloo), Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo), Karen Panchaud (ASL Interpreter), Lesley
Roach (ASL Interpreter), Johanna Ellis (Recorder)
REGRETS: Amy Ross
GUESTS: Ken Carmichael (City of Kitchener), Bob Henderson (Region of Waterloo), Jennifer
Urosevic (CNIB, Region Manager), Jennifer Bertelsen (Regional of Waterloo), Shannon Noonan
(City of Cambridae)
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS:
• Gordon Cummer called the meeting to order
• Gordon welcomed everyone, round table introductions.
2.0 APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY MINUTES & APRIL AGENDA:
• Motion by Mike Shipley, seconded by Carrie Speers to accept the February minutes, carried.
• Motion by Dawn Griffen, seconded by Andrew Tufty to accept the April 2012 agenda, carried.
3.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS:
There were no pecuniary interests to declare.
4.0 (a) PEDESTRIAN ACCESSIBILITY: Ken Carmichael, (Mgr of Transportation Planning, City
of Kitchener)
• The cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge are fairly similar as to the construction for
accessibility at intersections, sidewalks, road reconstructions, trail crossings and adult
supervised crossings. Ken Carmichael reported for all 3 cities and Jennifer Bertelsen
reported for the Region of Waterloo.
CITY OF WATERLOO
Intersections and Sidewalks:
• Intersections are provided with drop curbs at each corner, allowing for flush access from the
sidewalk onto the roadway;
• Sidewalks are "broomed" with a specific cross marking to indicate to persons with a vision
disability that they are approaching an intersecting roadway;
• Catch basins are installed in areas that will not impact road crossings;
• Where catch basins cannot be relocated, different basins are used to accommodate persons
using wheelchairs.
Road Reconstructions:
Temporary road crossings are provided on hard surface (different reconstruction has
different accesses);
When base asphalt is in place without the surface asphalt, grade differences are ramped for
pedestrian access (1 to 2 years to allow base asphalt to settle).
April 2012 - GRAAC Minutes
Trail Crossings:
Trail crossings at roadways on cul -de -sacs to allow flush access, trail crossings on main
roads do not have flush access.
Adult Supervised Crossings:
• All adult crossing guards are provided with AODA Customer Service Standard training.
CITY OF KITCHENER
Intersections and Sidewalks:
• Intersections are equipped with drop curbs at each corner, allowing for flush access from the
sidewalk onto the roadway;
• Sidewalks are "broomed" with a specific cross marking to indicate to persons with a vision
disability that they are approaching an intersecting roadway;
• Catch basins are installed in areas that will not impact road crossings;
• Where catch basins cannot be relocated, different basins are used to accommodate persons
using wheelchairs.
Road Reconstructions:
Temporary road crossings are provided on hard surface (different reconstruction has
different accesses);
When base asphalt is in place without the surface asphalt, grade differences are ramped for
pedestrian access (1 to 2 years to allow base asphalt to settle).
Trail Crossings:
Trail crossings at roadways are currently being reviewed to allow flush access as well as
different surface treatments to denote to persons with a vision disability of their approach to
the sidewalk and roadway. Further improvements coming this year (2012).
Adult Supervised Crossings:
• All adult crossing guards are provided with AODA Customer Service Standard training.
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Intersections and Sidewalks:
• Intersections are provided with drop curbs at each corner, allowing for flush access from the
sidewalk onto the roadway;
• Catch basins are installed in areas that will not impact road crossings;
• Where catch basins cannot be relocated, different basins are used to accommodate persons
using wheelchairs.
Road Reconstructions:
• When base asphalt is in place without the surface asphalt, grade differences are ramped for
pedestrian access.
Trail Crossings:
• Majority of trail crossings at roadways have drop curbs. More are continually installed.
Adult Supervised Crossings:
• All adult crossing guards are provided with AODA Customer Service Standard training.
April 2012 - GRAAC Minutes 2
REGION OF WATERLOO
Current Practices:
• Install Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS);
• Started to install new APS technology;
• Use of various walking speeds for signal timing.
• Meeting residents in the field to assess their needs, explain how the "Walk" and flashing
"Don't Walk" operates and determine if they require additional time to cross;
• Extending the Walk display for pedestrians who require additional time;
• Operating Traffic Signals in various pedestrian plans to meet specific requirements;
• 2 section pedestrian heads — "Walk" and flashing "Don't Walk ";
• All new and reconstructed intersections are designed for barrier free access;
• Intersections are provided with drop curbs at each corner;
• Paint the vertical face of refuge island curb yellow to improve visual conspicuity;
• Extensions to push buttons for easier access;
• Relocation of poles and equipment;
• Ladder markings;
• Countdown signals;
• Improved construction standards to accommodate pedestrians;
• Notify CNIB /APS user of APS locations that are under construction or out of service for a
period of time.
Accessible Pedestrian Signals:
• CNIB staff send a request to the Region identifying locations requiring APS;
• Regional staff order, install and maintain the equipment;
• Staff meet with the CNIB and User to explain the operation of the APS and ensure the walk
and FDW are sufficient to cross;
• Prior to 2010 APS beacons were installed;
• APS beacons use a standard pushbutton;
• Tone is emitted from above the ped head;
• New APS units; pushbutton unit provides the sound, provides locator tone, vibra - tactile
button and tactile arrows;
• Hold the pushbutton for 5 seconds;
• Cycle twice;
• Tone is only during the "Walk" indication;
• North -South crossings "cuckoo tone ";
• East -West crossings "peep -peep tone ";
• New APS are equipped with: Locator Tones, Vibra - Tactile Button, Tactile Arrows;
• Reflects TAC guidelines;
• There are 49 locations through the Region: 25 in Kitchener, 15 in Waterloo, 7 in Cambridge
and 2 in the Township of Woolwich (Elmira);
• 2 new locations in Kitchener have the New APS equipment (Belmont Village & King at the
Rockway Centre);
• The Region will be installing the new APS equipment at all new requested locations;
• 4 new locations will be installed in the next month;
• 5 more locations will be installed in 2012.
April 2012 - GRAAC Minutes 3
(b) DELEGATIONS: (Jennifer Urosevic, Regional Manager— CNIB Local Office)
Jennifer read a copy of a letter from the President and CEO of the CNIB to the GRAAC
committee ( *see attachment)
CNIB is receiving many calls regarding roundabouts. It is important to get a lot of input
before installing roundabouts.
• Jennifer Urosevic and Bob Henderson will meet in the near future.
*BREAK*
5. PEDESTRIAN ACCESSIBILITY QUESTIONS & DISCUSSIONS: (Bob Henderson, ROW)
Question /Comment: How are stop lights safer than roundabouts?
Answer: At stoplights cars are forced to stop whereas at roundabouts cars are not inclined
to stop.
Question /Comment: Curbs /Curb Cuts, there is a lip on them which can be hazardous.
Answer: Trying to keep them as accessible as possible. Downtown (Kitchener) has drop
curbs with flush access.
Question /Comment: There is no indication of when the road is coming up downtown
(Kitchener) for persons with a vision disability).
Answer: Ken commented that he will look into that and at this time they are researching
options.
Question /Comment: All cities /areas in the Region need to use similar techniques.
Answer: Region worked with cities toward a common goal to make accessible.
Question /Comment: When there are problems, who do we report them to because of the
different roads and who maintains them? The Region, the City?
Answer: Voice your concern with either and it will be forwarded to the appropriate place.
Question /Comment: Paula commented to the entire committee the importance of reporting
everything regarding pedestrian accessibility.
Question /Comment: Gord reported having an issue with curb cuts in Waterloo. Is Waterloo
going to come in line with Kitchener?
Answer: Ken will find out information.
Question /Comment: Gord commented that the only reasonable solution for pedestrians at
roundabouts is some type of signal. (i.e. study in the U.S.)
Answer: Bob has been asked to sit on a committee to conduct research. Bob says there
are also studies that state pedestrian safety at roundabout. Need to look at each location on
a case by case basis.
Question /Comment: Gord voiced concern that when talking about persons with
visual /hearing disabilities and persons in wheelchairs, roundabouts are not the best solution.
Answer: Bob indicated that the Region wants to work with persons with disabilities as well
as able bodied persons. The Region wants to develop solutions for everyone.
April 2012 - GRAAC Minutes 4
Question /Comment: Dawn suggested that another idea for a pedestrian crossing at
roundabouts could be a crosswalk further away from the roundabout. Dawn also suggested
that perhaps "rumble strips" could be used for the blind so they could hear the cars
approaching.
Answer: Bob indicated that roundabouts in the Region fall under North American
Standards. Vehicle speed is an issue and posting lower speeds would be ideal. To move
crosswalks 20 meter down the road would see an increase of crossings away from the line of
travel (away from the crosswalk and closer to where that person wants to be).
_.
6. BUILT ENVIRONMENT UPDATE: (Paula Saunders)
• Lolita and Paula have been very busy with Built Environment site visits and meetings.
Mayor /CAO Office Waiting Area Renovations (City of Waterloo):
• Reworking of the space at the front entrance to allow for a waiting room.
• Access into the office section is through staff access card, therefore no automatic door
opener will be available to get in to staff working area but will be available to get out.
Replace Fire Alarms at Waterloo City Hall & Lower Pull Stations:
• Will be siren and strobe light fire alarms.
• Have between 50 -60 pull stations which will all be lowered with the exception of two (2). One
is in the brick wall and the other is on a structural steel column wrapped around a steel
beam.
• According to the building code (because the building is not a new one) the height of the pull
stations do not have to be changed.
Fire Station No.1 (216 Weber St N, Waterloo):
• Renovations include the creation of a new Men's Change Room which includes new
washrooms and showers, a new dormitory, some cosmetic renovations to the existing
meeting room in the basement, a new decontamination room, a proper fire exit stair in the
spaces attempted to provide basic accessibility requirements by including a barrier free
washroom and shower; and by providing appropriately sized openings and pathways
throughout the change room and dormitory.
• While the showers and washrooms are accessible, the building is not. They will be working
on making the building accessible in the future.
Diggable Community Gardens:
• There are a few "Diggable Community Gardens ". The gardens are located at; Trinity Village,
at the top of Shantz Hill in Cambridge and the Chandler -Mowat area. Paula went to the
launch event for the gardens. Paula also volunteered to be on the committee which will
assist in voicing concerns around the gardens and accessibility. There are plans to hold
meetings to discuss designs for the gardens. More volunteers are needed for the "Diggable
Community Gardens ". Anyone interested can contact Paula Saunders and she will put your
name forward. Johanna will attach a previous community garden presentation ( *see
attachment).
Parkview Cemetery:
Lolita and Paula met with Bryce Crouse, Manager Cemetery /Bechtel Park Services.
Bryce shared that council approved the expansion of Parkview Cemetery into the Bechtel
Park land.
April 2012 - GRAAC Minutes 5
• Will not happen for another 5 -6 years.
• The consultant had stairs in the drawing.
• Paula suggested on behalf of GRAAC that no stairs be part of the cemetery and for the
consultant to come up with something else to replace the stairs.
Trail (behind Waterloo City Hall):
• Paula and Lolita met with John Griffin and toured the trail behind Waterloo City hall that leads
to Erb St. and heard the plans to make it accessible. Work on the trail will commence shortly
and will see better graded areas and paved areas.
• Comment was made about the picture in the KW Record of the washroom trailer at Victoria
Park. Councillor Galloway commented that she is aware and that accessible washrooms will
also be available to the public.
Sidewalk Design:
• Paula and Lolita met with 2 city staff from the Engineering Department.
• Paula, Lolita, Gord, Carrie and Dorothy met to discuss sidewalk designs.
• City of Kitchener uses broom finish.
• Visited corner of Victoria and Oak Street to look at a broom finish.
• In the future will visit a new broom finish for comparison.
• Will report back to GRAAC once more information is available.
7. COUNCILLOR(S) REPORT(S):
Councillor Kelly Galloway (City of Kitchener):
• Accessibility Plan has been approved and passed by Council.
• Working on the Duke and Ontario parking garage. Can use coloured paint for marking and
will be getting input from the public.
• June 10th — New Year's, the City of Kitchener will be holding many events to celebrate their
100th anniversary.
• Strasburg Rd extension — Public meetings will be held to discuss a roundabout on that
extension.
• Councillor Galloway thanked the committee for volunteering their time. April is Volunteer
Appreciation month.
Councillor Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo):
• Mobility Plus buses are now equipped with Mobile Data Terminals. (real time inputting of
data)
• Training is in place for all Mobility Plus drivers.
Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo):
• Council adopted the Official Plan on April 2nd
• Pursuant to the Transportation Master Plan, our capital budget included upgrades for all
modes of transportation, including new trails and sidewalks on Lexington, in Uptown, and in
industrial areas.
*BREAK*
April 2012 - GRAAC Minutes 6
8. CO -CHAIR REPORT: (Gordon Cummer)
• A few months ago the committee discussed the City of Ottawa's accessibility review. It is
now up on their website.
• Rockway Centre meeting on May 9th to discuss future use of the centre.
• Gord attended a workshop this morning (April 26th) on LRT accessibility. Gord shared his
perspective with the group. There was also a representative in attendance from the CNIB.
• Will discuss summer holiday schedule at next meeting.
• Lolita distributed Volunteer Recognition items to the committee.
1. ADJOURMENT
• Meeting adjourned at 3:55 pm.
Next meeting
Thursday May 24th, 2012 in the Conestoga Room
Kitchener City Hall - 1:30 — 4:00 p.m.
April 2012 - GRAAC Minutes 7