Crossing Actuated Intersections Adult Pedestrians who are Blind and Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APSs) Hope Yasuhara Hunter College

Actuated Intersections Present a challenge to cross. Present a challenge to teach. Figure 1 Figure 2

Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APSs) Provide audible or vibrotactile confirmation of traffic light cycles. Indicate the onset of the walk signal. Figure 3 Figure 4

Crossing without an APS 16 subjects who are blind were timed on when they started and finished their crossing at an actuated intersection without accompanying APS: On average, subjects waited longer (5 seconds) to begin crossings (Bentzen & Barlow 2003).

Crossing without an APS 48 subjects who are blind were timed on when they started and finished their crossing at an actuated intersection without accompanying APS: On average, Only half of the crossings started during the flashing walk signal. Subjects finished crossing after the lights had changed (26.9%). (Barlow, Bentzen, & Bond 2005) Figure 5 Figure 6

Crossing with an APS 56 subjects who are blind were timed on when they started and finished their crossing at an actuated intersection with accompanying APS. The addition of APSs at these intersections showed improvement in the timing of subjects’ crossings: On average, Subjects initiated crossing 2 seconds faster than without APSs. Fewer subjects ended crossing after lights had changed (13%). (Scott, Barlow, Bentzen, Bond & Gubbe, 2008)

Before and After APS Installation Average Starting Delay (Scott, Barlow, Bentzen, Bond & Gubbe, 2008)

Before and After APS Installation Average of People Starting to Cross during Flashing WALK Signal (Scott, Barlow, Bentzen, Bond & Gubbe, 2008)

Use of Pushbuttons 16 people who are blind in each of 2 cities were timed on when they started and finished their crossing at actuated intersections with APSs. Some APSs required pushbutton use, and some had optional pushbuttons. Results showed similar improvements in the timing of subjects’ crossing for both types of pushbuttons. Subjects were able to locate and press the correct pushbutton on approximately 90% of trials. (Scott, Barlow, Bentzen, Bond, & Gubbe, 2008)

Conclusion Research shows that crossing with an APS: Enables people to initiate crosses sooner. Enables people to finish the crossing before the light changes.

References Barlow, J. M., Bentzen, B. L., Bond, T., & Gubbe, D. (2006). Accessible pedestrian signals: Effect on safety and independence of pedestrians who are blind. Transportation research board 85th annual meeting, 2006. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from Transportation Research Board database (AN01023177). Barlow, J. M., Bentzen, B. L., & Bond, T. (2005). Blind pedestrians and the changing technology and geometry of signalized intersections: Safety, orientation, and independence. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 99(10). Barlow, J. M., & Franck, L. (2005). Crossroads: Modern interactive intersections and accessible pedestrian signals. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 99(10). Bentzen, B. L., & Barlow, J. M. (2003). Blind pedestrians at unfamiliar signalized intersections: Research on safety. 2nd Urban Street Symposium, Anaheim, California, July 28-30, 2003. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from http://www.urbanstreet.info/2nd_sym_proceedings/Volume%202/Bentzen.pdf. Scott, A., Barlow, J. M., Bentzen, B. L., Bond, T., & Gubbe, D. (2008). Accessible pedestrian signals at complex intersections: Effects on blind pedestrians. Transportation Research Board 87th Annual Meeting, 2008. Retrieved October 1, 2008, from Transportation Research Board database (AN01088381). Wall, R. S., Ashmead, D. H., Bentzen, B. L., & Barlow, J. (2004). Directional guidance from audible pedestrian signals for street crossing. Ergonomics, 47(12), 1318-1338. Retrieved September 23, 2008, from CINAHL database (AN2009399649).

References Figure 1. Photo by camera_obscura. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/musaeum/1818807223/ Figure 2. Photo by camera_obscura. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/musaeum/1819631904/http Figure 3. Photo by xtopalopaquetl. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/xtop/74055220/ Figure 4. Photo by Jamison. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamison/2864257450/ Figure 5. Photo by TheTruthAbout… Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/thetruthabout/2680700509/ Figure 6. Photo by randomwire. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/randomwire/188875913/