Audible Pedestrian Signals: An Overview for Installation

Audible Pedestrian Signals: Increasing Accessibility for Pedestrians with Visual ImpairmentsKelly KrispinskyOrientation and Mobility SpecialistVIP Rehabilitation Services, L.L.C.

Orientation and Mobility InstructionInitial assessment/evaluation

Body Image/spatial concepts

Positional/directional concepts

Pre-cane and cane skills

Indoor travel

Outdoor travel

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Visual ImpairmentLegal definition of blindness defined by law to determine eligibility servicesVision of 20/200 or less in the better eye with best possible correctionVisual field of 20 degrees or lessCommon eye conditionsChildren- CVI, Retinopathy of Prematurity, Optic Nerve Hypoplasia, Ocular Albinism, Optic AtrophyAdults- Macular Degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma

Traveling with a Visual ImpairmentSighted (human) guide

White cane

Dog guide

Telescope, monocular or other low vision aids

Electronic Travel Aid (ETA)

Crossing the Street with a Visual ImpairmentLocate edge of street and crosswalk of desired street

Determine intersection shape and proper crossing alignment

Determine traffic control and appropriate time to cross

Maintain alignment while crossing

Major vs. Minor street

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Notice features that you would use to help complete the street crossing task. Consider orientation (street signs, buildings, nearby streets) and safety (traffic volume, speed limit, crosswalk, curb ramp, pedhead signal) 6

Loss of acuity7

Loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision)8

Central field loss9

Challenges for Travelers with Visual ImpairmentsListening is not as specific as seeing

Most techniques depend on traffic

Driver behaviors

Complex intersection designs

Widened streets

Technology of vehicles

Inconsistency

Individuals may use different techniques depending on their personal preference, their level of vision, and the travel environment. Most people use whatever information is available. Traffic provides a lot of the information needed. With some of the complex signalization and geometry, and at crossings where there is low traffic volume beside the crosswalk, traditional street crossing techniques are not as effective as when they were developed 50 years ago.

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Audible Pedestrian SignalA device that communicates information about pedestrian signal timing in non-visual format such as audible tones, speech messages, and/or vibrating surfaces. (MUTCD, 2009, 1A.13, P3, 1)

Also referred to as:Accessible pedestrian signalAudible traffic signalAudible crossing indications

Examples of older versions11

Features of an APSPushbutton locator toneOnce per second Tactile arrowRaised and on pushbuttonActuation IndicationMUTCD specifies audible WaitWALK IndicationPushbutton locator tone, followed by rapid tickAutomatic Volume AdjustmentLouder sound produced when intersection noise is high

Need to hear traffic as well as signal12

Features of an APSBenefits of APSLocator tone existence and location of pushbuttonTactile arrow direction of crosswalk and location of the destination curbVibrating surface notifies start of WALK interval for pedestrians with hearing impairmentsAudible WALK indication notifies both sighted and visually impaired pedestrians the start of the walk interval

Provides supplemental information to cross the street safely and successfully. Intended to use in addition to environmental cues.13

General ConsiderationsPush-button integratedExamples of pedhead-mounted APS:

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

The revisions to the MUTCD in 2009 made a number of changes to specifications for APS. Basically the changes in specifications call for APS that are integrated into the pushbutton. Both audible and vibrotactile indications are required. In addition, the standard walk indication is supposed to be a rapid tick, with speech walk messages used only in specific situations, where the two pushbuttons cant be separated on a corner. Well talk more about the details of the specifications later in the course.Note that the MUTCD doesnt have specific compliance dates on APS. APS that meet the new specifications are required when installing new devices and when replacing current devices.14

MUTCD: APS Location

5 ft. MAX away from the edge of the crosswalk line

MUTCD: APS Location

Within 6 ft. of the curb/pavement

MUTCD: APS Location

Face of the pushbutton is parallel to the crosswalk that is to be used

MUTCD: APS Location

Two pushbuttons at one intersection are separated by at least 10 ft.

**If determined impractical, speech message must be used

Location of APS (MUTCD, 2009)No more than 6 feet back from curb or pavementNo more than 5 feet away from edge of crosswalk, between curb ramp and the crosswalk line furthest from the intersectionNo less than 10 feet between APS on the same cornerFace of device oriented parallel to crosswalkHeight between 36 and 38 incheswithin reach from a level landing

Location- the further away the harder for a blind person to readjust alignmentthink back to the steps of crossing the street19

Application of ADADoes not require reconstruction of all intersectionsDoes require that accessibility features be upgraded when other work is being doneDoes require self-evaluation and development of a transition plan by state and local governmentsDraft PROWAGAPS shall be installed at all newly constructed or reconstructed intersections where pedheads are installed

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Current Trends10% of general population has visual impairments33% of visually impaired population generally live in cities; 37% live in suburbs10 students served through VIP Rehabilitation Services for 2015/2016 school year (Delaware City Schools, St. Marys)Increasing numbers of children with visual impairmentsBenefits all citizens: college students, orthopedic impairments, hearing impaired

Questions?