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Presented by: Joe Couples, P.E. Valerie Lee, P.E. Accessible Pedestrian Signals. Legacy devices remain ...but mostly new technology. Seattle APS. Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS). MUTCD 4E.06 Both audible and vibro-tactile modes identified for walk indication.
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Presented by: Joe Couples, P.E. Valerie Lee, P.E. Accessible Pedestrian Signals
Accessible Pedestrian Signals(APS) MUTCD 4E.06 • Both audible and vibro-tactile modes identified for walk indication. • Locator tone identified in support section. • Provides guidance for factors that should be considered in study of when to install an Accessible Pedestrian Signal. • APS cannot be by TOD operation.
Study Factors to Consider • Potential demand (needs) for APS. • Requests. • Traffic Volumes, and turning movements. • Signal complexity. • Intersection complexity
Potential Demand • High Volume Transit facilities such as Streetcar and LRT stations. • Transit hubs and transfer points. • Libraries or other facilities for the blind. • Recreation facilities.
Requests In Seattle: • Until LINK Light Rail and the South Lake Union Streetcar, almost all of the APS installations were based upon requests. • Almost all requests were to meet transit, shopping, and employment needs of individual(s).
Traffic Volumes • Pedestrians may be present at any time. • Low Volumes. • High turning volume percentage.
Traffic Signal Complexity • Split-Phasing. • Protected Left or Right-Turns. • Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI). • Exclusive pedestrian phase. • Other complicated signal operation.
Intersection Complexity • Skewed intersection geometry. • Median islands. • Free right-turn islands. • Signal complexity. • Intersection complexity
Design Complications • Underground utilities, MH & JB's. • Curb ramps. • Decorative poles. • Light and heavy rail adjacent or in ROW.
APS in Operation • Actuated operation. • Pre-timed/recall operation. • APS Controller Unit.
Actuated Operation • Pedestrian pushes button to activate. • Audible and vibro-tactile activate with “Walk” indication. • Returns to holding mode with “ Flashing Don't Walk”.
Pre-timed Operation in Seattle • “Walk” interval comes on automatically without the audible & vibro-tactile. • Some devices able to activate audible & vibro-tactile if adequate clearance time. • Returns to holding mode with “ Flashing Don't Walk”, PBS indicator light goes on.
APS Settings • Locator tone is used. • Audible and locator tone volume settings are independently adjustable. • Volume adjusts to ambient noise so as to be quieter at night and other periods.
Noise Complaints • Few complaints regarding audible indications. • Complaints regarding audible mostly by multi-story condo or apartment dwellings. • Many complaints regarding locator tone in residential areas.
Web Resources • NCHRP Web Document 117A, Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practices. June 2007 • MUTCD 2009