Abstract Manager

This presentation features the issues related to people with vision loss at a roundabout in Thunder Bay.  It presents findings related to the concerns of this special population when navigating this type of locations. The information was gathered through a pilot study where issues were identified from volunteers via online questionnaires and from field data collected at the location. Field data were collected for two hours under good weather conditions with six volunteers. All volunteers were clients from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). Furthermore, the level of vision loss for these volunteers is high and as a result, an orientation specialist and other staff from CNIB  were present at the location during data collection in order to ensure the safety of everyone participating.

In reference to the roundabout, it includes approaches with two-lanes and accessibility features at the entrances and exits as well as approaches with one-lane and without the features. These features include rapid flashing beacons (RFPs) accompanied by accessible pedestrian signals (APS). One major finding of this pilot study indicates that the accessible features put in place at this type of locations may not address the needs for people with vision loss. This pilot study could provide guidance for future considerations/research regarding accessibility at roundabouts.