When pedestrian countdowns are used with accessible pedestrian signals (APS), should there be an audible countdown provided for vision-impaired pedestrians?
Some advocates for the visually disabled believe that the countdown information should also be provided in an accessible (audible) format. However, there are some significant problems with providing the countdown information to people with visual disabilities. The countdown only occurs during the pedestrian change interval (flashing orange hand), during which pedestrians have already left the corner and are in the street. The Orientation and Mobility Division of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired has investigated the issue of providing audible pedestrian change interval signals, including audible countdowns, and has recommended against them. If the countdown were broadcast in audible format from the opposite side of the street to ensure those crossing can hear it to the end of the crossing, then the audible countdown will mask the other environmental and moving traffic sounds that blind people need to be able to hear and concentrate on o
Related Questions
- When pedestrian countdowns are used with accessible pedestrian signals (APS), should there be an audible countdown provided for vision-impaired pedestrians?
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