Shushwap Road Roundabout
Universal Design
Submitted by: B. Green
This roundabout crosswalk supports universal design, due to its crosswalks encouraging accessibility to those visually impaired by providing those with visual impairment to easily cross the truncated domes or tactile paving on crosswalks and sidewalks. The visual contrast helps those with colour impairments to have proper contrast to be able to recognize and identify potentially hazardous areas, such as this crosswalk. The tactile warning system, referring to these contrasting yellow indented bumps in the sidewalk, also allows those who may be blind to access crossing this surface, as the surfacing can be felt by blind people. The design of circular domes, known also as Inline Domes, indicates a curb ramp, intersection, or transition to another surfaced area.
It is important to note, many areas in Kamloops lack universal design, and it’s especially true for the reserve, but there are factors as to why it’s not such a straightforward process.
The roundabout itself provides safer crossings due to forcing drivers to slow down, which is a considerable issue along East Shuswap Road, but the roundabout has encouraged many to slow down in the years, along this road. As it has been a considerable issue area of accessibility, in general, regardless of those with or without disabilities, this area is generally unsafe to cross. Along the walk down towards the gas station, there are lacking amenities for those with disabilities, therefore, despite this area recognizing universal design, there are still issues.
However, it is important to note that federal and provincial jurisdictions along the Reserve and the Provincial highways/roads, such as the Yellowhead Highway and East Shuswap road, provide bureaucratic roadblocks to work through each area’s jurisdiction; as the province handles the highways and roads leading out of reserves, but every other road, falls under the Reserve’s jurisdiction. Reservation lands themselves, such as the roads along the reserve, and those that lead into the reserve, are Federal, and thus fall under Tkemlups Te Secwepmecw federal jurisdiction.
Hence why the accessibility of these areas is contentious and seemingly unregulated due to the process of dealing with both federal and municipal jurisdictions.
