Pedestrian Crossing App Enhances Accessibility and Safety
Item #: 20230044
CONTACTS
Implementing Organization: Traffic Management Division
Implementation Lead: Mark Taylor
Development Team: Mark Taylor, Karen Roylance, Jesse Sweeten, Degen Lewis, Troy Torgersen, Lisa Zundle, and Adam Lough
Article Written By: Mark Taylor
Innovation Council Liaison: Winston Inoway
Innovation Team Coordinator: Winston Inoway
STATUS
Implementation Date: July 1, 2023
Adoption Status: Implemented (further adoption is underway)
Adoptability Note: This free app is available now, and will be more beneficial as more and more crossing signals are converted to the new accessible pedestrian signal (APS) standard over the coming years.
APPLIES TO
Topic: Safety and Health
Organization(s): Asset Management, Communication, ITS, Planning, Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Traffic & Safety, Traffic Management Division, Transit/Rural Public Transit
Job Role(s): Construction Engineer, Program Manager, Program Specialist, Roadway Operations / IMT
Tags: highway transportation, public transit, , political factors, crashes, injuries, urban development, value of life, inventions, intelligent transport systems ( ITS ), active transportation, pedestrian, APS, Accessible Pedestrian Signal, crosswalks, construction, design, highway operations, ( traffic operations ), pedestrian safety, traffic safety > highway safety, trucking safety, signals, quality of life, user benefits, ( connected communities )
PROBLEM
People who have physical disabilities, are blind, or have visual impairments may struggle to find or access the pedestrian push button or the direction they need to travel. In addition, once they start crossing the street, they may have difficulty knowing the remaining time to cross.
CHANGE
The Signal Operations team tested and deployed a newly available smartphone pedestrian app that supplements the audible cues provided at Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS). The app is customizable to a person’s needs, whether they are blind, visually impaired, hard of hearing, or are unable to touch the signal button.
The app tells users which crosswalk signals are nearby. Once users select a direction they wish to cross, the app causes the signal button locator sound to increase so visually impaired users can find the button and the appropriate place to wait to cross the street. In addition, the pedestrian signal can be activated remotely from the smartphone.
Users are provided audible intersection crossing information such as the street they’re crossing, direction they’re traveling, the state of the pedestrian crossing (e.g,. walk, don’t walk, pedestrian clearance), and the time remaining to cross.
This free app is available for IOS and Android. Upgraded audible pedestrian push buttons will be installed at all signalized intersections over the next several years to benefit all users
(see innovation 20230042).
RESULT
With the PedApp, blind and visually impaired pedestrians can more safely navigate signalized intersections.
Several dozen intersections, including all signalized intersections in Cedar City, have been switched over to the APS standard. Additional intersections are being switched over each week.
From September 2023 to June 2024, UDOT will install APS at the following locations:
All of 400 South / 500 South in SLC along the light-rail route.
At 120 additional intersections statewide (using state funds).
UDOT has a federally funded project starting November 2023 that will install APS at another 150 intersections in Region 2 along some of the following state routes:
State St (US-89)
400 South (US-89)
300 West (US-89)
9000 South (SR-209)
Redwood Rd (SR-68)
UDOT is seeking input from the public to prioritize APS locations. Please use the Accessible Pedestrian Signal Request - Utah form to let us know where we should focus first.
LINKS
PEDAPP Pedestrian Mobility App (app website)
PedApp Video (1:13 min)
Accessible Pedestrian Signal Request - Utah (web form)
IMPACT
BETTER MOBILITY
Blind, visually impaired, and hearing impaired pedestrians have better access to active transportation
GOOD HEALTH
The app enables pedestrians to more safely navigate signalized intersections
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
Assistive technologies like this help connect physically challenged people with transportation opportunities
STRONG ECONOMY
UDOT furthers their commitment to serve all users
As of August 2023, federal requirements mandate that new, and eventually all existing crossing signals, be accessible