My statement remains the same, lift trucks must yield right-of-way to pedestrians.
I've been in this business for over 30 years and I couldn't agree more to every statement you make, but....they are all secondary to the primary rule.
Yes, pedestrians need to have site-specific orientation and they should be told to yield right-of-way to lift trucks; yes, there should be pedestrian no-go-zones; yes, there should be pedestrian walkways & lift truck "highways" where ever possible; yes, pedestrians should wear safety garments; yes, pedestrians should be told their do's & don'ts when walking/working around lift trucks; etc., etc., and....you & I both plus all the others could go on & on, but it does not change the foundation of lift truck training.
If there can be no agreement to the basic principle of lift truck training then I see no reason to continue this thread.