Allen

Corie Allen

Environmental Analysis: Votran Transfer Plaza

Routes:o I-shape route along the middle pathway within the transfer plaza,

and two/from the benches to the bus doors. ** See picture 2 (attached). Students use the thick crack in the sidewalk as a shoreline, while also using various landmarks such as the backs of benches, gate poles, changes in concrete textures, etc.

o Depending on the route between the student’s 2 busses, routes can vary in I, L, Z, or U shape.

** See picture 1 and 2 (attached). Students travel from one bus, along the middle pathway, and to their next bus gate in various route shapes.

Illumination:o Natural lighting is available at the perimeters of the transfer plaza,

as it is an open environment. As one moves closer towards the perimeter and busses (away from the middle pathway and benches), the natural lighting becomes more enhanced. Towards the west end, the information office is a closed building and does not allow for much natural lighting to enter.

o Overhead fluorescent lighting is provided within the roof of the plaza platform. Due to the high amount of natural lighting in this area, the fluorescent lighting is used minimally during the hours of operation: before the sun rises and after it sets. Lighting is also used during bad weather conditions in which there is little to no natural lighting (i.e. thunderstorms).

Color/Contrast:o The majority of the transfer plaza is concrete. At the edge of the

platform, before pedestrians would enter the bus the bus, are bright yellow truncated domes. Yellow poles also line the perimeter of the plaza platform at areas in which pedestrians should not step off, or they would be in the bus parking areas. Although this allows for some contrast, it is very low. (See pictures 1 and 2)

o Trashcans and benches line the edges of the middle walkway separating the north from the south gates. This color blue allows for high contrast for individuals.

o At each bus gate, there are red poles containing the gate numbers in large print and braille. Red poles are also used in the center of the plaza where the information board is situated. The red also provides high contrast. (See pictures 3 and 4)

1

Allen

o Each gate also has gate numbers in large print and bolded letters hung from poles up above. These signs are black print upon a yellow background, providing high contrast and assisting individuals with low vision to locate their bus gate. (See picture 5)

Landmarks:o The differences in pavement (as indicated below in “texture/terrain”)

can be used by pedestrians to differentiate between an area of travel (between gates or leading up to the bus doors) and other open areas containing obstacles (i.e. trashcans, benches). There is also a significantly indented crack running from east to west along the exterior of the middle pathway that students can use as a shoreline when traveling between bus gates.

o Office, ticket counter, bathrooms located at the west end of the plaza. This is the only area in the entire plaza that is enclosed with a wall, and there is an echo towards this part of the plaza.

o Truncated domes located around the perimeter of the plaza platform indicating that passengers are approaching the curb and indicating where the bus will be parked.

o Information monitor is located in the direct middle of the transfer plaza with pole situated along the middle pathway running from east to west. The information monitor also provides audible information for passengers, allowing for individuals with visual impairments to use their environmental sound cues.

o Poles containing bus gate information and the backs of benches are various landmarks along the exterior of the middle walkway running from east to west. These objects may come into contact with the pedestrian and can be used while traveling from gate to gate in order to maintain a straight path of travel.

Texture/Terrain:o Braille is provided on the red poles at the front of each bus gate

entrance with the gate number. (See picture 4)o Truncated domes located at the perimeter of the plaza platform

before entering pedestrian’s bus. (See picture 1)o Smooth vs. cobblestone terrain located throughout the plaza

platform. The middle walkways running from east to west, as well as the walkways towards the front and rear doors of each bus, are smooth pavement. However, all other terrain within the plaza (underneath benches, poles, trashcans) is that of cobblestone. This can be used to assist individuals in following a route to and from busses. (See pictures 1 and 2)

Open Areas:o The north, east, and south ends of the Transfer Plaza are

considered to be open areas as there are not any walls. However,

2

Allen

depending on the time of day and amount of pedestrian traffic, there are times in which the plaza as a whole is not considered an open area.

o Middle walkway running from east to west down the center of the plaza platform.

o Smaller walkways running from north to south branching off of the middle walkway towards each bus entrance.

Obstacles/Hazards: o Benches, poles, and trashcans are situated along the exterior of the

routes for pedestrian travel. Students with low vision should not have an issue with contacting these objects unless they are walking in an area that is cobblestone, indicating that it is not a pedestrian travel area. Students who are blind will come into contact with these objects using their cane to avoid potential collisions.

o The entire transfer plaza is situated up on a curb, providing a potential hazard for individuals traveling to trip off the curb into the bus parking area. However, there are poles and/or truncated domes located along the perimeter of the transfer plaza indicating that they are approaching an area of parking or an area of unloading/loading the bus.

o Although police occasionally monitor the transfer plaza to make sure homeless people are not begging or loitering, it has been observed that these individuals will still approach travelers if they find the right time to do so.

Volume/Type of Pedestrian Traffic:o Pedestrian traffic at the Votran Transfer Plaza consists mostly of

individuals using the fixed-route bus as a form of travel. Votran workers may walk around the plaza from time to time, but mostly stay behind the counter located at the west end of the plaza. On occasion, local police may walk and patrol the plaza as well.

o Votran scheduled bus service is available Monday-Saturday from 6:00 am to 7:30 pm with limited Sunday and night services. Buses begin their first route from the plaza and end their final route at the plaza when closing. Before and after closing, there is no pedestrian traffic due to a strict “no loitering” policy at the plaza.

o Pedestrian traffic various hourly, as well as daily, depending on the time and amount of people using the fixed-route buses. Each bus arrives to the plaza at various times, depending on how long it took them to complete their routes. However, each bus leaves the plaza at :02 and :32 after the hour, making pedestrian traffic significantly less.

3

Allen

Photos: Attached below

Recommendations: o It is recommended that students receive mobility lessons to orient

and familiarize themselves with the transfer plaza prior to using the bus. The instructor should use cardinal directions to assist with orientation and in collaboration with the gate numbers.

o It is recommended that students have experience with interacting with the public prior to mobility lessons occurring at the transfer plaza to prepare for asking for assistance and locating the correct bus gate or information.

o It is recommended that students use the indented crack in the sidewalk and/or street furniture lined along the middle walkway for traveling between bus gates.

o It is recommended that students have experience with entering, riding, and exiting a bus prior to orienting oneself at the transfer plaza.

o If a student uses a monocular aid, it is recommended that he/she receive training in scanning, tracing, and tracking prior to orientation to the transfer plaza in order for them to quicker and more easily locate the gate signs.

o It is recommended that transfer plaza staff receive in-service training in orientation concepts and sighted guide for assisting individuals with visual impairments during travel.

4

Allen

#1. Left: Different textures in pavement leading up to the bus doors. The smooth paths lead directly to the doors, while the cobblestone can be used as a shoreline.

#2. Left: Pathway to each gate within the transfer plaza. Students can follow the different textures (cobblestone vs. smooth) or street furniture (gate posts, benches, etc) while traveling in either direction.

5

Allen

#3. Left: Information monitor with routes and departure times situated in the middle of the transfer plaza. The button on the lower portion of the left pole provides audible information for passengers.

#4. Left: Gate posts (marked with large print raised letters and braille) at each bus gate.

#5. Right: Gate signs (marked with high contrast and large print) hung above at each bus gate.

6