[nfbwatlk] New designs for Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS)

[Nightingale, Noel]

From: Olson, Toby (ESD) [mailto:TOlson2 at ESD.WA.GOV]
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2014 4:02 PM
To: GCDE-INFO at LISTSERV.WA.GOV
Subject: New designs for Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS)

This writer, Lilly Longshore, raises an important issue and offers useful information regarding changing designs for Accessible Pedestrian Signals. Here is a link to some additional information on the topic http://www.apsguide.org/chapter1.cfm.


From: Lilly L. [mailto:awaterlilly at comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, May 16, 2014 1:28 PM
To: ESD DL GCDE
Subject: Clark County's new crosswalk signals

Hello,
My name is Lilly Longshore. I have contacted your committee in the past.

I have a concern and a suggestion regarding new crosswalk signals that are being installed throughout Clark County, WA. My county may not be the only place these are being installed.

Concern:
I contacted the Clark County engineer in charge of this project after my low vision teen- age son nearly walked out into traffic because he didn't realize the signal directions were reversed from the old signals, plus there were no longer chirpers on the new crosswalk signals. Rob Klug, the Clark County engineer, was very helpful. He told me that over forty new crosswalk signals will be installed throughout Clark County in 2014. The new signals comply with a new national standard. Mr. Klug updated me on key differences. This was extremely helpful. Some differences include:

1.   Arrows are raised so VI folks can feel direction, vs. just buttons on old signals.
2.   A "rat-tat-tat" sound indicates time to walk vs. chipping/cuckoo sound. The VI person is supposed to be able to discern which ninety degree direction the sound echoes from (my low vision son can't do that yet).
3.   The button that was pressed vibrates when it is time to walk. (He didn't know it vibrated or that he should keep his hand on the button to feel for a vibration. Now that he does, that is how my son can tell it is time to safely cross).
4.   A verbal messages can be programmed into the signal such as "Crossing now open for NE Hwy 99" or what ever message is desired.
5.   One only needs to press with three pounds of pressure. This helps me since I am a quadriplegic.

Suggestion:
We need to get the word out on these new signal features, ideally before changing them. That way vision impaired people will know ahead of time how to use them. The new signals, so far, seem to work well-now that we know how to use them.

Action:
I arranged for Mr. Klug to speak with the Clark County NFB group as well as putting him in contact with the Orientation and Mobility teachers at WSSB. Mr. Klug asked for NFB member and WSSB staff/student input into what verbal message should be programmed into the signals in the future. This is a great opportunity for both Clark County and the local visually impaired community.

I just wanted to give the GCDE committee a heads-up in case other communities are updating their crosswalk signals. Some public outreach and education on the differences between old and new signals could quite literally save lives.

Thanks for your time and consideration in reading this.

Lilly Longshore
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