There continues to be debate about striping the edges of the multi-modal paths. Here without editorializing is my understanding of the facts of this issue.
1. Golf cart drivers in The Villages have complained about the difficulty seeing edges and obstacles on the multi modal paths at night and in inclement weather, a potential safety hazard.
2. Multi modal paths have no lighting of their own, they depend entirely on light from other nearby roads and streets and golf cart headlights.
3. Multi modal paths have no center line striping (except CDD 4) to assist drivers in locating their cart on the paths.
4. Most of the users of the multi modal paths are senior citizens.
5. The most common vehicle on multi modal paths at night is a golf cart.
6. University and FHA studies show that normal aging in senior citizens can cause problems with depth perception and reaction time in low levels of illumination and glare. (This is not injury or disease.)
Paul Emberger is a resident of the Village of Ashland.
