Disabled Signals

From the MT:
"Moscow to Set Up Street Crossing Signals for People With Disabilities"

Moscow is set to equip some 30 traffic lights with sound and vibration modules to help people with visual and hearing impairments safely cross the street, Moscow's Traffic Management Center said in a statement Thursday. The modules will also play a distinct melody to warn pedestrians that they have seven seconds left to make it to the opposite sidewalk before the light turns red. “Moscow's transportation infrastructure should be adapted to all residents,” the statement quoted Vadim Yuryev, the head of the Traffic Management Center, as saying. “We are actively working on programs that will allow transportation to become more comfortable for people with limited mobility. The use of such modules at traffic lights in Moscow will help people with impaired sight and hearing to cross the street easily.” The statement did not provide a specific timeline for the installation of the modules but said they would be set up by the end of the year. The cost of the undertaking was not disclosed. In 2011, Russia launched a five-year, multibillion-ruble Accessible Environment Program to make city infrastructure more accessible for people with disabilities. The program's measures include building inclusive and accessible schools, sports facilities and transportation infrastructure. The program states that 45 percent of major public and transportation facilities should be made accessible by 2016.

^ This sounds like a great idea, but as someone who has crossed Russian (including Moscow) streets I don't think this will really do any good. The driver has the right-of-way even when someone is in a crosswalk. Moscow, as in most Russian towns and cities  - has extremely wide streets (that seem to be 4 lanes each side) and the only way a person - disabled or not - can cross it  - even in a crosswalk with a crossing signal telling you to - is to weave in and out of the cars or to walk part-way, stop for cars and then walk some more. I can't even imagine how difficult that must be for a disabled person, but I know how hard it was for me  - especially in winter with snow and ice everywhere. Walking in Russia is almost as dangerous as driving in Russia. Russian drivers (many I know paid to not have to take the official classes or tests to learn how to drive) make their own lanes and the roads throughout the country are not kept in great shape. Walking in Russia you have to be careful of potholes in the sidewalks, ice and snow on the sidewalks or falling ice from buildings. The last part is really scary and I have personally seen it nearly hit many people walking. You hear the distinctive sound of ice breaking and then maybe someone shout and then people run. Unlike many countries, falling ice or slippery sidewalks don't mean much to the Russians as the government or owners of that area aren't held responsible. It is the person walking that has to watch out for everything. If these new signals are to work to help the disabled safely cross the streets in a crosswalk then more needs to be done to make sure the drivers follow the rules of the road. ^

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/moscow-to-set-up-street-crossing-signals-for-people-with-disabilities/523069.html