Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Effect of Device Features.

This paper describes how the U.S. Access Board's Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way recommends the use of pushbutton-integrated accessible pedestrian signals (APS). This research compared the effect of specific features of pushbutton-integrated APS on the ability of blind pedestrians to locate and correctly use pushbuttons, and to cross accurately during the pedestrian phase. Variations in the standard features (locator tone, pushbutton, tactile arrow, actuation indicator, response to ambient sound; vibrotactile WALK indication) made little difference to users who were thoroughly familiar with devices. A fast tick WALK signal promoted the fastest onset of crossing, and is the preferred signal. However, speech WALK indications are needed where two APS are mounted on the same pole.