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| SFMTA home > About Us > Reports and Publications > Muni Access Update, February 2006 | |
Project UpdatesHybrid Bus ProcurementThe low-floor bus prototype from Orion will be ready in July 2006. The prototype will allow seniors and people with disabilities to “test” the vehicle’s accessibility features and offer feedback. Some features new to Muni will include blue seat inserts for the priority seating area, yellow stanchions, and the bi-fold ramp. 3rd Street Light Rail Extension Platform construction is nearing completion on all segments of the 3rd ST. rail line, which runs from 4th & King St to Sunnydale. Platform finishes (canopies, seating, signage etc.) are scheduled to be complete mid-year and service is expected to start at the end of 2006. Automatic Vehicle Location/NextBusIn 2001, Muni began a pilot project with Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) manufacturers, NextBus Information Systems Inc, and infrared wayfinding technology developers, Talking Signs, Inc. NextBus technology utilizes bus mounted GPS systems that accurately calculate the time a particular bus will arrive at a particular bus shelter. NextBus graphic LED signs (located at each bus shelter) display accurate estimates of the arrival times of the next one or two coaches at a particular stop. The information provided on the shelter signs is also be provided on the website, www.nextmuni.com, and can also be accessed using internet-enabled cell phones, PDAs and handheld computers. Each Muni NextBus display has been equipped with a Talking Signs text-to-voice converter embedded in it which transmits the NextBus data via infrared beam to hand-held receivers carried by people who have visual or cognitive disabilities so that they can access the announcements. Hand-held infrared receivers borrowed from the LightHouse for the blind and Visually Impaired or the San Francisco Mayor’s Office on Disability or may be purchased directly from Talking Signs. Muni is currently in the process of installing NextBus AVL systems on all trolley coach lines. The AVL project includes the installation of NextBus signs like those currently installed on the MMX and in shelters on the 22-Fillmore trolley coach line. Later in 2006 AVL and NextBus systems will be installed on all motor coach lines. Talking Signs technology was originally developed by Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute of San Francisco. It is currently installed in many public buildings, including City Hall, New Main Library, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the Courthouse and Port Authority buildings. Along with Muni, BART and Cal Train are installing the technology in their stations and platforms. The NextBus service is currently deployed in 24 different transit agencies in ten U.S. cities (plus Nottingham in the UK). Over 5,000 Talking Signs transmitters have been installed in Japan and installations have begun in Europe. NextBus is currently installing their system, including Talking Signs in 20 cities in the U.S. with plans to expand to Europe. More information is available about these emerging technologies at www.talkingsigns.com and www.nextbus.com. For additional information on this ongoing project, please contact Muni Accessible Services at 415.923.6142 or TTY 415.351.3443. SFMTA Welcomes New DirectorNathaniel P. Ford Sr. recently assumed the position of Executive Director of the San Francisco Metropolitan Transportation Agency, replacing Michael Burns, who moved to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Agency last year. Mr. Ford comes to us from the Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transit Authority, where he served as General Manager and CEO for nearly nine years. He is no stranger to Bay Area transit, having previously held a managerial position at BART. Thanks from the Chair of the Muni Accessibility Advisory Committee (MAAC)By Leslie Clark As I near the end of my second term Chair of the Muni Accessibility Advisory Committee (MAAC), I would like to thank my fellow officers, Vice-Chair Jean Lynch, and Secretary Ed Harley for their help and support. I would also like to thank all of the committee members for their continued dedication and hard work. MAAC will be involved in a number of interesting projects in the coming year. The committee will provide input on the accessibility features of the Orion low-floor bus prototype in July. We will continue to be involved in the 3rd St. Light Rail Project as construction nears completion, and we look forward to the beginning of service on the line later in the year. We are also enjoying working with Jamie Osborne, our young and enthusiastic new ADA Coordinator, who has fresh and interesting new ideas about how MAAC can reach out to the senior and disabled communities and attract new members. Finally, I would like to remind all senior and disabled Muni riders that their input is important to make Muni service as could as it can be. If you do not receive good service while riding Muni I urge you to file a complaint with Muni Passenger Services (415-923-6164, TTY 415-923-6373) or Accessible Services (415-923.6142, TTY 415-351.3443), as this feedback helps Muni improve. Conversely, if you feel you have received exceptional service, Muni would like to hear about that too so that Operators can be reminded how important there efforts are to seniors and people with disabilities. (Please remember when you are filing a complaint or commendation to write down the bus number and the Operator’s badge number as well as the bus line number and time of day.) Muni’s New ADA Coordinator
Jamie studied electrical engineering and rehabilitation engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Oxford University. Over the past ten years, he has developed his skills as a Rehabilitation Engineer, working with people of all ages and abilities, technology designers, rehabilitation specialists and educators. His "expertise" lies in assessing the needs of a specific user or group, identifying access barriers for a product, service or environment, and developing practical solutions to human interface problems both physical and virtual. He has traveled extensively in India and Bangladesh to work with disability rights and access organizations large and small. He enjoys teaching people about universal design, studying landscape architecture and organizing community events. He is a Virgo. Jamie comes to Muni Accessible Services via Berkeley's Center for Accessible Technology. As the fixed-route accessibility coordinator, he is excited to be a part of the Muni family and to implement accessible public policy and increase the quality of services for all transit riders Accessible Services Office RelocationAs part of an effort to establish a Muni Headquarters, the Accessible Services Program will move from the Presidio facility to 1 South Van Ness on February 17, 2006. A number of other departments have already made the move, including the office of the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Transit Agency (recently occupied by Nathaniel Ford), and the newly established SFMTA Planning Department, which combines Muni’s Service Planning and Capital Planning & Grants, and DPT’s Livable Streets and Bicycle Programs under the SFMTA umbrella. Because of increased security at the new building, visitors are requested to call ahead to let Accessible Services staff you would like to stop by. The Accessible Services main phone (415-923.6142) and TTY (415-351.3443) will remain the same. The new fax number will be (415-701-4728). The Regional Transit Discount ID Office will remain at 2630 Geary Blvd indefinitely. |
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Copyright © 2000-2008 SFMTA. All rights reserved. Updated July 29, 2008
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In October 2005 the Accessible Services welcomed Jamie Osborne as the new ADA Coordinator for fixed route transit, replacing the recently retired Paul Fichera.