NS716 - Research & Innovation

Setting Up Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) for Success

Need Statement 716

Problem

MnDOT began installing Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) buttons much earlier than many other cities and states in the U.S. We have been following the volumes and sounds required by the Pedestrian Rights of Way Accessibility Guide (PROWAG) and the Mn Manual on Uniform Traffic Control (MN MUTCD). These volumes and sounds have often not been acceptable to nearby residents and businesses, and they have often not met the needs of the users of those systems. To complicate this, when one button at an intersection is near a building and another button at the same intersection is near an open space the same sounds and volumes will not present themselves the same to users. This makes setting the buttons up appropriately very difficult.

Objective

Research is needed to help determine what appropriate settings are for the sounds and volumes of the buttons. The goal is to meet the needs of those that rely on them while trying to avoid excessive volumes that may ruin the APS buttons or annoy nearby residents and businesses to the point of them trying to quiet the buttons by their own means.

Strategic priorities

Advancing Equity: Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) provide information to those that are visually impaired that allows them to know when the Walk sign is on for a signalized movement and when a Don’t Walk is on. Providing the right sound is important to help with the understanding of the APS. It has also been suggested that some sounds can trigger PTSD. Providing the proper sounds and volumes is a step towards assuring equitable access to safe and efficient transportation systems and spaces.
Safety: APS provides a means for those that are visually impaired to know what phase a pedestrian signal is in. Having the proper sounds and volumes helps the APS become more usable and allows for a safer transportation system.
If the volumes of an APS are not set properly, they may have a negative impact on those that live or do business in the vicinity of an APS button. This has at times caused individuals to damage the button to eliminate the sound. If the buttons can be programmed more accurately and set at a level that is acceptable to the user and not impact those near by there is a better chance that the sounds of the button will be available for those that need them.

Expected outcomes

New or improved technical standard, plan, or specification.
New or improved manual, handbook, guidelines, or training.
New or improved technical standard, plan, or specification.

Expected benefits

Decrease Engineering/Administrative Costs: MnDOT currently has a committee that is re-evaluating how we have been setting up APS buttons. The intent is to work with local agencies, as we have in the past, to help determine what proper settings are for the buttons. The goal is to have standards across the state and local agencies so that users at any agencies signals in Minnesota will have the same experience.
Since MnDOT was an early adapter of APS, buttons have evolved and as more are installed the public has become more aware of the buttons. Based on experiences of users and those affected by the buttons we would like to work to make them the most effective that we can.
Lifecycle, Reduce maintenance cost: APS buttons that have not been programmed properly have been failing prematurely and putting a strain on electrical maintenance to repair or replace.
Operations and Maintenance Savings, Reduced equipment cost: Failing APS buttons put a strain on maintenance time and budget to repair and replace.
Reduce Risk, Minimize Tort Liability: Appropriately programmed APS provides a safer and equitable system.
Safety—Other: Appropriately programmed APS buttons provide information to the visually impaired to make their crossing at a signalized intersection safer.