The City of Bend has launched a project to create tactile 3D-printed intersection models to help people who are blind or have low vision understand how roundabouts and complex intersections work.

Derek Albara, the city’s mobility programs manager, told the City of Bend Accessibility Advisory Committee on Dec. 18 that staff signed an on‑call contract with Kittleson & Associates to develop the models after an MPO grant application was not successful. "We can do up to 5 models," Albara said, noting examples such as single‑lane and double‑lane roundabouts and protected intersections.

Albara said the models are tactile — "you can feel the different surfaces" — and are intended for use in focus‑group testing with blind and low‑vision participants. Two volunteers, Charlene Wills and Nancy Stevens, have already agreed to participate, and staff expects in‑person testing around March. The city plans to house finished models at public locations such as the library or city hall and is exploring smaller versions that could be placed near intersections.

Albara said the city is also considering regulatory changes to its development process that would encourage or require developers to produce models for complicated intersections; he told the committee printing costs have fallen and estimated "Only about $200 to print" a model.

Committee members suggested practical design and placement changes — for example, showing "where you are in relation to the printout" or keeping smaller, labeled models at libraries — and staff said the legal team will weigh liability and accuracy questions before placing models at intersections.

Next steps: staff will work with the consultant and COBAC members to scope model types, bring the consultant back to present details, run focus‑group testing with blind and low‑vision participants, and report progress at the January meeting.