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

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

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

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).

5. 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

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)

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

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

9. 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)

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

11. 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, Retrieved October 1, 2008, from Transportation Research Board database (AN ).
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, Retrieved October 1, 2008, from
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, Retrieved October 1, 2008, from Transportation Research Board database (AN ).
Wall, R. S., Ashmead, D. H., Bentzen, B. L., & Barlow, J. (2004). Directional guidance from audible pedestrian signals for street crossing. Ergonomics, 47(12), Retrieved September 23, 2008, from CINAHL database (AN ).

12. References
Figure 1. Photo by camera_obscura. Retrieved from
Figure 2. Photo by camera_obscura. Retrieved from
Figure 3. Photo by xtopalopaquetl. Retrieved from
Figure 4. Photo by Jamison. Retrieved from
Figure 5. Photo by TheTruthAbout… Retrieved from
Figure 6. Photo by randomwire. Retrieved from