MAAC June 15, 2006, minutes

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MUNI ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MAAC)
ONE SOUTH VAN NESS, 3RD FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO CA 94103
PHONE 415-701-4485 FAX 415-701-4728 TTY 415-701-4730

www.sfmuni.com/maac

Minutes of June 15, 2006

Members Present:

Leslie Clark (Vice Chair), Janet Copriviza, Ed Evans (Chair), Paul Fichera, Melvin Galloway, Barbara George (JLMB), Ed Harley (Secretary), Jeanne Lynch, Bruce Morgan, Vernon Smith, Arden Wheeler,

Absent:

Bruce Oka (Excused), Jewel McGinnis (Excused)

Accessible Services Staff Present:

Jamie Osborne, Annette Williams, Virginia Summerell-Rathke, Marina Villena

Guests:

Stephanie Brooks, Martha Cowan, Vernon Crawley, Nathaniel Ford (MTA), Matt Lee (MTA), Jim Lowe (MTA), Javad Mirabdal (MTA), Ron Niewiarowski (MTA), Karen Star

Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order at 1:10PM.

Introductions:

Introductions were made in lieu of a roll call.

Reading and approval of agenda:

The agenda was approved as presented.

Approval of the minutes of March 2006 MAAC meeting:

The minutes were approved as presented.

Report from the Chair:

MAAC Chair, Ed Evans indicated that he has been calling in a number of complaints about both operator and mechanical problems on the 14 Mission and 49 Van Ness lines. He feels that Accessible Services could invite appropriate Muni division personnel to talk to MAAC about the issue.

Annette Williams, Accessible Services: Update on Hybrid Bus Demonstration

Annette Williams gave a progress update on the recent Hybrid Bus prototype demonstration that took place on May. She indicated that Muni is working on the following accessibility issues with the new bus:

1. Modify the yellow stop request button beneath the flip-up seating adjacent to the wheelchair securement area. The “Mushroom shaped” yellow button will be replaced with a lower profile, circular blue button with an International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) icon that is common to other Muni vehicles.

2. Add grab bar to vehicle wall next to driver’s side wheelchair securement area.

3. Add Blue seat inserts for the seats reserved for seniors and people with disabilities. Thess provide another visual clue reminding people to yield these seats.

She asked for recommendations from the members regarding their preferences for wheelchair clamps used on other Muni vehicles. The options are the American Seating floor mounted clamp or the Mobile Tech seat mounted clamp.

She asked the committee to contact Jamie Osborne at 415-701-4439 with additional suggestions, questions or concerns regarding the accessibility features on the new buses.

Comments and questions from MAAC members and guests:

• Arden Wheeler – The corner at the entrance to the vehicle seems to sharp. Is there any way that we can “round” the corner?

• Jim Lowe – I also noticed that the corner is very sharp. It may be a tripping or safety hazard to riders. Perhaps Orion can simply “radius it” so that the corner is round.

• Vernon Smith – Is there any tactile indicator where the stairs are at the back of the bus?

• Ed Evans – I would like to see the wheelchair securement areas staggered so that each place has move maneuvering clearance.

Annette thanked the committee members for all the work that they have done on the Hybrid bus prior to Muni receiving the prototype.

Jamie Osborne: Update on Bus Wrap Advertisement Demonstration

Jamie Osborne described the bus wrap advertisements and gave the committee feedback on the demonstration of a new style of wrapping material. The new style allows more light to pass through the material, thus it should be easier for people with visual disabilities to effectively see through.

He requested that MAAC members provide additional suggestions and comments regarding the demonstration:

• Ed Evans – The new wrapping material is much much clearer… With stop designation signs and DVAS in the bus, I don’t think that the low vision community would have problems.

• Jim Lowe – One of the policies I’d recommend is that if you are going to wrap the bus, it must have fully operational DVAS.

• Vernon Smith – I’ve had very poor experiences with LRV and bus operators announcing stops.

• Bruce Morgan – In the evening and at night, the wrap makes it difficult to see out so that people can where people are going… If the audio is not working that would be an additional problem.

• Paul Fichera- Was the Lighthouse for the Blind included in this demonstration? I heard originally that there was an agreement with the advertising people not to cover certain portions of the bus. Is that still intact?

Annette Williams indicated that the advertisers want to cover as much of the buses surface as they can. Muni has asked for the front windows not to be covered. She reported that with this new technology, they would like to cover all of the windows. She noted that the advertising contract specifies that no more than 20 buses at one time may have wrap advertising and the bus wrapping has to be approved by the executive director.

She asked MAAC members: Is this something that MAAC feels is okay with?

• Ed Evans – This is a revenue raising issue. That revenue keeps our disabled fares low.

• Jeanne Lynch – Can I ask how much revenue the buses are bringing in?

Jamie Osborne reported that the advertising revenue per bus was approximately $3000.00 per month. The advertising campaign runs for three months and then advertisements are removed.

Virginia Summerell-Rathke: Update on Third Street Light Rail Project

Virginia Summerell-Rathke discussed recent progress on the Third Street Light Rail construction project. Platforms along the route are still being completed. Windscreens are being installed and a number curb ramps still need to be constructed. Striping for the crosswalks is underway.

Virginia noted that there has been a lot of testing with the LRVs on the new Third Street rails and platforms. She has been measuring at platform heights and verifying that the horizontal and vertical gaps between the vehicle and the platform are appropriate.

Annette Williams added that the community is excited and anxious for the system to be in service; however, she reported that there were instances where the Light Rail installation has eliminated left-hand turn lanes. She anticipated that confused motorists may create safety hazards for Muni vehicles.

Ron Niewiarowski: Historic Streetcar Extension

Ron Niewiarowski reintroduced himself to MAAC members as representing MTA Planning. He discussed the potential future extension of Muni’s historic streetcar service to Fort Mason Center. The project will extend the F-Line 9 blocks West from Fisherman’s Wharf.

Ron discussed the May 9th public scoping meeting for the project’s Environmental Impact Survey (EIS), and thanked the MAAC chair for attending. He felt that it was very important for members of the disabled and senior communities to give input on projects that will increase their access to San Francisco’s resources.

Ron indicated that the extension will provide direct rail service from Castro street through SF Maritime National historic park and to Fort Mason Center. It will give Riders with Disabilities and Seniors a transfer-free passage to this region’s many activities.

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), the San Francisco National Historical Park (NHP) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) are partnering with MTA to explore this project. This particular EIS only concerns the extension to Fort Mason.

MAAC comments on this project:

• Martha Cowan – Why don’t we just extend the line all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge?

• Paul Fichera – Have you gotten far enough into the project to start identifying individual stops? Are you starting to design the boarding areas?

• Ed Evans – We should not have the wayside ramps and pickup for the wheelchairs be separate. Disabled and able-bodied riders should board at the same location.

Ron suggested that the committee members play a more active role in the ongoing community meetings, as National Park Service (NPS) staff and the others involved may not be as familiar with disability access issues. NPS needs to understand that Muni provides serves to everyone. He thanked MAAC for its comments and reported that he will keep the committee involved.

Nathaniel Ford: Introduction and General Accessibility Discussion

Mr. Ford thanked MAAC for giving him the opportunity to address their group. He described his previous experience with Atlanta’s MARTA system and his decisions for coming to MTA.

He spoke of public transportation in terms of the agency’s responsibility to the rider and focused on the actual needs of the ridership.

In Mr. Ford’s words:

I get it. I understand the importance of mobility, the importance of accessibility...

I recognize the importance of transportation to the livelihoods of the people that we serve…

I think that the MTA is at a critical point right now. There have been improvements with Muni over the past few years – it [ Muni ] has plateaued now and without a lot of appropriate attention, it could start to decline. I pledge not to let that happen on my watch. We do have a lot of work to do…

I am well aware of the issues regarding BART and Muni FastPass situation…

We are trying to work something out that both agencies can agree to that makes sense.

Mr. Ford discussed other issues of concern with MAAC members, such as: Bikes on LRVs, Pedestrian safety, Operator stop announcements, Implementation of low-floor buses, and Operator-rider relations.

Mr. Ford specifically asked MAAC to look 20 years into the future and document the transit system they want to ride. He wants Muni and MAAC to move from being reactionary to being proactive and having a plan to deal with the day to day service issues.

He thanked the committee for caring so much about Muni. He appreciated the members’ dedication and volunteering. MAAC members thanked Mr. Ford for his words and looked forward to working with him in the future.

Javad Mirabdal: Safety on Boarding Islands

Javad Mirabdal discussed a project to improve safety along Market Street by creating safe zones. The safe zone area is the area between the boarding island and the street. Because of the volume of pedestrians, waiting Muni riders and automotive traffic he has identified these areas as hazardous.

To improve safety he proposes modifications to the boarding islands. Specifically, he want to warn waiting riders against standing too close to the edge of the island. Because of this issue, many bus operators will not pull close to the island to board riders, thus creating additional safety and accessibility problems.

He proposes a painted yellow guidance area that is 2 feet wide next to the bus stop that will advise the riders to stay away from the curb.

Javad took questions from members and guests on the project:

• Vernon Smith – Couldn’t you use the same material (truncated domes) that you are using on the platforms?

• Ed Evans – On which islands will the guidance areas initially be installed?

• Ron Niewiarowski – Will this project encourage Muni or DPW to require the installation of this feature at every sidewalk?

Javad indicated that he would keep MAAC updated on the progress of this pilot project.

Public Comments:

There were no public comments.

ADA Complaints:

MUNI Accessible Services staff presented April and May ADA complaint data to the MAAC committee.

Items for Next Agenda:

1. Arden Wheeler – Lets get some “No smoking” signs up on the bus shelters and at bus stops.

2. Paul Fichera – Mr. Ford’s presentation was loud and clear to me: “Let’s look at down the road.” Let’s individually think about it and then collectively talk about our long term goals at the next MAAC meeting.

3. Let’s invite the Transit Union president, Irvin Lum, and have him answer questions about why operators are not calling stops.

4. Paul Fichera – I think that coffee and doughnuts and some type of refreshment should be included on next month’s agenda.

Member’s Questions and Comments:

Jeanne Lynch reported that at 1:00PM on June 16th at room 400 in City Hall there will be a discussion of the bicycles on LRVs pilot project. The public is welcome to come. Please go and listen and make your presence and comments known.

Ed Evans reported that he would be presenting MAAC’s views at the June 16th meeting. He invited everyone to come.

Announcements:

Jamie Osborne discussed that a new newsletter was put released by the Market Street Railway, and that the Streetcar Museum was slated to open in July 2006. He passed out copies of the Newsletter to interested MAAC members.

Ed Evans announced that Frederick Hobson, AIDS Awareness activist died in May and requested a moment of silence for his passing.

Adjournment:

At 3:15PM, the meeting adjourned to the next regularly scheduled meeting of Thursday, July 20th, 2006, at 1:00PM.

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