sa_butta
05-16-2008, 02:28 PM
Zigzagged path leads blind astray
Officials in a Chinese city have been slammed for building a zigzagged guide path for the blind.
http://www.ananova.com/images/web/1329340.jpg
The tactile guide path is supposed to lead blind people safely alongside busy Chang'an Avenue in Xi'an city.
But the paving stones, which feature raised bumps so blind people can recognise them, have been laid like a maze.
The Chinese Business View newspaper reports that one section has more than ten turns in less than 20 metres.
The owner of a neighbouring bike repair shop says he constantly sees blind people walking into billboards or losing their way.
"It's really dangerous, and sometimes it can even lead blind people onto the road," he said.
However, Zhang Guohua, deputy director of the Xi'an City Infrastructure Engineering Office, says the design of the guided path was restricted by the layout of the footpath.
"There are some objects on the road, and the footpath has a little curve," he said, adding that it would not be possible to reduce the number of turns without "technicians to redesign it".
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2855564.html?menu=
Officials in a Chinese city have been slammed for building a zigzagged guide path for the blind.
http://www.ananova.com/images/web/1329340.jpg
The tactile guide path is supposed to lead blind people safely alongside busy Chang'an Avenue in Xi'an city.
But the paving stones, which feature raised bumps so blind people can recognise them, have been laid like a maze.
The Chinese Business View newspaper reports that one section has more than ten turns in less than 20 metres.
The owner of a neighbouring bike repair shop says he constantly sees blind people walking into billboards or losing their way.
"It's really dangerous, and sometimes it can even lead blind people onto the road," he said.
However, Zhang Guohua, deputy director of the Xi'an City Infrastructure Engineering Office, says the design of the guided path was restricted by the layout of the footpath.
"There are some objects on the road, and the footpath has a little curve," he said, adding that it would not be possible to reduce the number of turns without "technicians to redesign it".
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2855564.html?menu=