Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practices (Workshop Edition 2010) (2011)

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Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice 135 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance CHAPTER SUMMARY Th is chapter provides guidance for signal technicians who will work directly on the installation of the APS units. In many places, this chapter refers to Chapter 6 illustrations, so readers should have access to both chapters. Lessons learned from project research are included. CHAPTER CONTENTS Review of Design Guidance 136 Installation 139 Adjustments 144 Setting and evaluating sound levels 145 Post-installation checklist 149 Maintenance 152 Lessons Learned from APS Installations 154

136 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Review of Design Guidance CURRENT GUIDANCE Th e MUTCD Section 4E.06 recommends: “Th e installation of accessible pedestrian signals at signalized intersections should be based on an engineering study, which should consider the following factors: • Potential demand for accessible pedestrian signals. • A request for accessible pedestrian signals. • Traffi c volumes during times when pedestrians might be present; including periods of low traffi c volumes or high turn-on-red volumes. • Th e complexity of traffi c signal phasing. • Th e complexity of intersection geometry.” Draft PROWAG requires audible and vibrotactile indications of the WALK interval when new pedestrian signals are installed. PRINCIPLES Th e following guiding principles should be kept in mind when installing APS. Th e APS installation should: • Provide pedestrian signal information to those who cannot see the pedestrian signal head across the street • Provide information to pedestrians about the presence and location of pushbuttons, if pressing a button is required to actuate pedestrian timing • Provide unambiguous information about the WALK indication as well as which crossing is being signaled • Use audible beaconing only where necessary • Put as little additional sound in the environment as possible to avoid disturbance of neighbors and allow pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired to hear the traffi c sounds, as well as the APS NEW CONSTRUCTION — IDEAL INSTALLATION Providing audible and vibrotactile indications of the WALK interval, as specifi ed in Draft PROWAG, means that devices should be integrated into a pushbutton unit, in order to provide vibrotactile WALK indications. Th e vibrotactile feature is usually a tactile arrow incorporated into the pushbutton device. Th e ideal location for pushbutton-integrated APS is between the edge of the crosswalk line (extended onto the sidewalk) farthest from the center of the

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice 137 intersection and the side of the curb ramp. If at all possible, APS should be between 1.5 feet and 6 feet from the edge of the curb, shoulder, or pavement. However, in order to provide wheelchair access to the pushbutton, the pushbuttons must be located adjacent to a level all-weather surface. Th e control face and tactile arrow should be carefully aligned with the direction of travel on the associated crosswalk. At corners of signalized locations where two pedestrian pushbuttons are provided, the pushbuttons should be separated by a distance of at least 10 feet (see Figure 7-1). A rapid tick WALK indication is recommended for installations following these guidelines about location. RETROFIT INSTALLATION — CONSTRAINTS AND ACCEPTABLE SOLUTIONS Many APS installations will be a retrofi t situation where they are being installed at an existing signalized intersection that is not being completely reconstructed. Th ere will likely be infrastructure constraints that will make an ideal installation diffi cult. Poles not located at ideal positions If there are no poles at the recommended locations, options that should be considered, in order of decreasing desirability and from the standpoint of ambiguity, include: • Repositioning of the pedestrian signals and poles, or the addition of stub pole(s) and associated conduit and wiring Figure 7-1. Ideal placement for pushbutton-integrated APS in the top corner of the fl are of the curb ramp, next to the level landing

138 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance • Two APS on a single pole with speech messages for the WALK indication, and additional features required with speech messages • Use of pedhead-mounted speakers, possibly with mast arms or another provision in order to locate the WALK indication speakers as near to the associated crosswalk as possible

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice 139 Installation WIRING Wiring needs and availability should be considered before ordering devices because some devices and features require additional wires between the pedestrian signal head, the pushbutton, and the controller. APS typically require an additional control board in the pedestrian signal head or in the controller cabinet. Manufacturer’s instructions should be reviewed, as wiring may be more complex than expected due to additional features such as the vibrotactile WALK indication (vibrating surface) and additional messages or tones. Other potential wiring issues are as follows: • May need wire in addition to what is provided with the APS • Wire types may range from phone type wire to stranded wire • APS that require four wires may need to have extra wiring installed at the pushbutton poles. • Some manufacturers provide a 2-wire APS model that uses the existing wiring from previously installed standard pushbuttons. For that installation a control unit is installed in the controller cabinet. Wiring this device requires correct connection of wires from pedestrian signal heads, particularly where two parallel crosswalk do not operate concurrently to provide accurate messages. In addition, replacing standard pushbuttons with APS may not be as easy as it appears. In some cases, new holes will have to be drilled and the APS mounted in a correct position if the previous pushbutton was not positioned correctly (e.g., previous pushbutton angled toward center of intersection instead of parallel to crosswalk). • APS that provide audible beaconing from the far side only (opposite end of crosswalk from where button was pressed) may require additional wiring to provide the proper signals between the pedestrian signal and controller for the beaconing. APS control units As mentioned above, APS often have control units that must be installed in the pedhead or in the traffi c signal controller. An example of a control board being installed in the pedhead is shown in Figure 7-2. As can be seen in the photo, the technician found that a bungee cord was helpful in holding the pedhead lens while he was installing and adjusting the APS control unit. Additional photos and information on control units can be found in Chapter 6 in “Mounting and Wiring Issues.” Figure 7-2. Technician installing APS control board in pedhead

140 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Traffi c signal controllers As stated earlier, APS devices work with current controllers used in the U.S. While Malfunction Management Unit (MMU) problems seem to have been solved by manufacturers, functioning of the intersection and devices should be carefully checked after installation. PUSHBUTTONS, TACTILE AR- ROWS, VIBRATING SURFACES AND SIGNS Height of pushbuttons Th e pushbutton must be within accessible reach range of a level landing for use from a wheelchair and MUTCD specifi es 42 inches as mounting height. Th e MUTCD requirement of 42 inches is well within the reach ranges specifi ed by Draft PROWAG. Draft PROWAG (306.2.2) requires APS pushbuttons to be installed within specifi ed reach ranges of the curb ramp landing, or of a level surface with an accessible path to the curb ramp. A level surface is defi ned as a surface with less than 2% slope in any direction. Th is allows a person in a wheelchair to push the button without having to hold the wheelchair steady on a slope. Reach ranges in ADA guidelines are described as forward reach or side reach and unobstructed or obstructed. Forward or side reach refers to the position in relation to a level surface and whether the pushbutton can be approached from the directly (forward) or must be approached from the side. Obstructed or unobstructed describes whether the wheelchair can be pulled immediately next to the pushbutton mounting surface or whether an obstruction, such as a wall, pole base, or an uneven or dirt surface, must be reached over in order to reach the pushbutton from a wheelchair. Reach depths (distance from level surface) are specifi ed at 25 inches maximum for forward reach and 24 inches maximum for side reach. For forward or side reach, unobstructed, Draft PROWAG allows the pushbutton to be mounted between 15 in and 48 in above the level surface. Obstructed high reach varies depending on the depth of the obstacle, but is in a range of 42 to 46 inches. Locations that are “convenient” to the installer may not be usable by all pedestrians. Figure 7-3. This pushbutton may be 42 inches from the bottom of the pole, but it is almost 60 inches above the landing, not accessible to a wheelchair user and not likely to be located by a person who is blind. Figure 7-4. Not only is the pushbutton in the bushes and out of reach range from the sidewalk, construction barriers have been stored against the pole, preventing all pedestrians from reaching the pushbuttons.

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice 141 Vibrating surfaces Vibrotactile WALK indication should be provided during the associated WALK interval by each APS equipped with a vibrating surface. Th e vibrating surface (arrow) will be usable only if it is installed within the width of the crosswalk or very near the crosswalk, and near the curb line. Pedestrians must be able to wait to cross while keeping a hand on the vibrating surface. When two APS pushbuttons with vibrotactile indications are installed on the same pole, they may require insulation and a rubber gasket to eliminate vibrations generated from the other pushbutton. Shape and type of mounting pole Municipalities in the U.S. use a great variety of poles for mounting pedheads and pushbuttons. When the tactile arrow is part of the pushbutton and located on the face of the pushbutton integrated device, the orientation of the device on the pole determines whether the tactile arrow is aligned with the crosswalk. A new mounting hole may need to be drilled for the pushbutton, in order to be sure the arrow points in the correct direction. A person who is blind may attempt to determine their heading for crossing based on the arrow. Th e arrow should point toward the destination corner. Most pushbutton-integrated devices are designed to be installed on round poles. Poles that are not round may require a special mounting bracket or shim to orient the arrow correctly. Location and orientation of tactile arrows Before devices were ordered, the pushbutton and tactile arrow (vibrating surface) location should have been determined and specifi ed. Any adjustment from the intended design must be carefully considered. If poles are located too far away from the center of the intersection, outside the extension of the crosswalk lines, the pedestrian who is blind may attempt to cross at a location that is not within the crosswalk area. See an example of a poorly placed pole in Figure 6-14 in Chapter 6. Pushbuttons should be within reach from a level landing, within 5 feet of the crosswalk lines extended and within 10 feet of the curb. Specifi cations on pushbutton location are provided in Chapter 6. Th e tactile arrow must be oriented parallel to the direction of travel on the crosswalk controlled by the pushbutton. It may be helpful to stand behind the unit and look across the street to check the orientation before and after installation. Th e arrow should point to a location within the crosswalk along the opposite curb. Arrows on several manufacturers’ devices can be turned or repositioned by the installer. However, with some devices, the direction of arrow is specifi ed when ordering the units. Pole location in relation to the crosswalk can aff ect the arrow direction. Figure 7-5. Well-located APS on a square pole. Figure 7-6. A mounting bracket or shim is needed on this square pole to orient the arrow properly. Without it, the arrow points to the center of the intersection.

142 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Where speech messages are used for the WALK indication or where there is a pushbutton information message, installer should check that arrow direction and speech messages agree. APS have accidentally been installed with the message providing notifi cation about the wrong street. Th e fl uted pole in Figure 7-7 made correct alignment more diffi cult. Th e installer said he had to put it that way because he did not have any shims. Th e specifi cations given to the manufacturer for this unit should have included shims to allow for the necessary angle adjustment. Wooden poles In areas where pushbuttons are installed on wooden poles, the wiring usually runs in a conduit on the outside of the pole. A mounting bracket, which needs to be ordered with the APS, is needed on some devices for wiring the pushbutton. Other options are discussed in Chapter 6 in “Mounting and Wiring Issues.” Braille labels and signs Th e direction of the face plate and associated arrow is determined when the raised dots of braille are added. Braille is generally just punched into the metal plate. Print street names may not be provided on the APS, since print street signs may be available at the intersection already. Typically, the faceplate can be fl ipped to show a right arrow or a left arrow, and the manufacturer includes a print label on the faceplate to translate the braille for installers so they will install the sign at the appropriate location. Th e print label should be installed on the inside of the faceplate (facing the pole), not on the outside (see Figure 7-8). If the braille sign has been installed correctly, the braille dots will be raised to the touch after installation. APS MICROPHONES AND SPEAKERS Microphone location Microphones should be mounted as near as possible to the pedestrian waiting location. If the microphone is mounted too far away, it will not adequately sample and adjust the volume levels resulting in a WALK indication that is too quiet for a pedestrian to hear above the sound of traffi c. APS speakers Depending on the manufacturer and installation confi guration, speakers for APS might be mounted on the pedhead or located in the pushbutton unit. Speakers should be ideally located in the pushbutton, but some agencies might make use of overhead speakers mounted on the pedhead. Th ere are diff erent issues to be considered, depending on the speaker location. If possible, APS devices should have speakers oriented toward the street as well as the sidewalk and pedestrian waiting Figure 7-7. APS is misaligned with the arrow pointing into the bushes. Figure 7-8. At this location, the faceplate was mounted backwards, with the Braille indented rather than raised and the small paper label, intended only to translate the Braille, is on the outside rather than the inside.

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice 143 location. In locations with audible beaconing, a speaker oriented toward the middle of the crosswalk is needed. Th e addition of a pedhead-mounted speaker may need to be considered in that situation; some manufacturers sell optional add-on speakers. One manufacturer provides baffl es to better control the direction of sound. An H-frame is used for mounting pushbuttons in some northwestern states. However, the design of the frame makes it diffi cult to hear the sound of the locator tone from both the approach direction and the crossing direction. Sound from pedhead-mounted speakers If the APS confi guration uses pedhead-mounted speakers, the aim of the speakers is important. Unless audible beaconing is needed, speakers should be aimed down toward the pedestrian waiting location. Speakers may be aimed toward the center of the street at crosswalks where audible beaconing is needed. INSTALLATION OF SPEAKERS AND MICROPHONES Confi rming speaker location and orientation Speaker location and orientation need to be checked against the specifi cations. Installers should make no change in speaker location or orientation without checking with the responsible signal engineer. Poorly located speakers can result in: • Ambiguous information about which crosswalk has the WALK interval; • Failure of blind pedestrians to begin or end crossings within the crosswalk; and • Veering of blind pedestrians outside the crosswalk, possibly into confl icting traffi c. See discussion and examples in Chapter 6 for more information on the eff ects of speaker location and orientation. Speaker location Incorrect speaker location can make a diff erence in ability of pedestrians who are visually impaired or blind to discern which APS is sounding. • Each APS speaker at a corner must always be closest to the crosswalk it signals. • For pedhead-mounted APS, speakers should not be automatically located on the pedhead that signals the same crosswalk. Th e pedhead closest to one crosswalk may signal the perpendicular crosswalk. In this case, speakers must be mounted on the pedhead for the perpendicular crosswalk. Speaker orientation Th e speakers should be adjusted so the pushbutton locator tone can be heard by a pedestrian approaching the corner from both the sidewalk side and the street.

144 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance However, it is most critical that the WALK indication can be heard at the beginning of the crosswalk. Precise orientation of the APS speaker is especially critical at locations with audible beaconing. If a speaker or transmitter is oriented out of alignment with the associated crosswalk, pedestrians may inadvertently travel out of the crosswalk, perhaps into the path of vehicular traffi c. Pedhead-mounted speakers in existing installations are often mounted in positions that make the messages more ambiguous. See more information on correct mounting of pedhead speakers in Chapter 6 in “APS Microphones and Speakers.” For pushbutton integrated devices, the speaker is in the pushbutton housing. Location of the pushbutton and orientation of the speaker can be critical to hearing the WALK indication at the crosswalk. If the speaker is located too far from the crosswalk location, pedestrians who are blind may not hear the WALK indication. Adjustments INTRODUCTION Devices should be carefully adjusted in the fi eld and evaluated after installation to be sure they are working properly from an engineering perspective and from the perspective of pedestrians who are visually impaired. • If the APS has been added in response to a request from a pedestrian who is blind or visually impaired, that individual should also be involved in evaluation after installation. • Because installers may be unfamiliar with new types of APS devices, extra supervision and attention will be required during the fi rst few installations by any crew or contractor. • Even when carefully specifi ed, installations sometimes do not match the specifi cations because installers do not understand that failure to exactly follow specifi cations may lead to an installation that cannot be accessed by pedestrians who use wheelchairs, or that could cause a pedestrian who is blind to push the wrong pushbutton, to veer into the center of the intersection, or mistake which crosswalk has the WALK interval and start crossing at an unsafe time. Th e sound level of the speakers must be carefully set and evaluated at the time of installation, and then checked at a time with diff erent traffi c volumes to assure that settings are correct. It is better to install APS with volumes that may be too low and adjust upwards as needed. If volumes are set too high initially, problems can arise with neighboring residents and businesses that can lead to the removal of the APS and diffi culties for future installations.

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice 145 Setting and evaluating sound levels HOW TO ADJUST APS SOUND LEVELS Th e controls to adjust the settings of the APS vary among the diff erent manufacturers. Th e settings may be adjusted by: • Screws on control board, which may be mounted in pedhead or in the APS speaker unit. • Remote handheld device, using infrared communication, that must be held in close range to the APS Settings Most devices require setting: • Microphone sensitivity or automatic gain control (AGC) sensitivity, • Volume of the pushbutton locator tone, and • Volume of the WALK indication. Th e microphone sensitivity or AGC controls how the other tones/message volumes respond to ambient noise levels. Th e setting must be adjusted by the installer to provide output at one of a number of ranges between the maximum and minimum. Th e number and width of ranges varies by manufacturer. How loud should the sound be? In general, installers have a tendency to set volume levels of devices too loud. Loud overhead audible signals have been problematic to neighbors of APS installations. In addition, the loud sound of the signal may prevent pedestrians who are visually impaired from: • Hearing critical traffi c sounds used for alignment • Determining that cars have stopped • Hearing cars that may be turning across their path • Localizing on the signal source Installers should set volume levels according to the following guidance: • Th e WALK indicator must be audible from the beginning of the associated crosswalk (MUTCD 4E.06 Standard). • Th e MUTCD (4E.06 and 4E.09 Guidance) states that the locator tone and WALK tone of an APS should be at the same volume (except by special actuation, providing a louder tone for a single pedestrian phase) and specifi es that the locator tone should be audible 6 to 12 feet from the pushbutton, or to the building line, whichever is less. Figure 7-9. Resetting APS settings with handheld device supplied by manufacturer

146 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance • Manufacturers typically set a default maximum and minimum output level on APS devices. Th e settings should be checked to ensure that it is set for 30 dB minimum and 89 dB maximum. • At no time should sound be more than 5 dB above ambient sound (except by special actuation for audible beaconing). Draft PROWAG specifi es that the sound level should be between 2 and 5 dBA above ambient sound. [MUTCD 4E.06 and 4E.09 Guidance; and Draft PROWAG 2.5.2.2 G] Volume level considerations Th e correct setting will vary depending on whether there are buildings close to the APS, split phasing, or slip lanes. • When buildings are close to the APS, the sound refl ected from the buildings will make the sound seem louder. Th e refl ected sound may also infl uence the microphone and automatic gain control such that the APS will sound louder for the same setting than if the APS was in an open area. • At intersections having split phasing, APS at parallel crosswalks must not be audible across the street (at the other parallel crosswalk), or users may begin crossing with the wrong WALK signal. Check this at times of low ambient sound as well as at times with normal sound. In Figure 7-10, the APS giving the WALK indication on corner B should not be heard by someone standing on corner A. Figure 7-10. Illustration of pedestrian signals at an intersection with split phasing

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice 147 • APS at intersections having channelized turn lanes must not be audible from the corners of the intersection. If an APS on the splitter island is too loud, pedestrians who are blind may believe the turn lane is signalized, or that the intersection crosswalk extends all the way to the corner. If the volume is too loud, pedestrians might assume that they have a WALK indication to begin crossing, when, in fact, they may be entering an uncontrolled slip lane, yield or stop sign controlled slip lane, or a separately signalized turn lane. In Figure 7-11, a pedestrian standing on the corner at location A should not be able to easily hear an APS that is located on the splitter island. Automatic volume adjustment Pre-set automatic volume adjustment or automatic gain controls cannot assure that the volume meets the criterion for distance at which the APS should be audible. Similar automatic volume adjustment settings on APS by diff erent manufacturers may seem to provide quite diff erent loudness, as judged by listeners. • Automatic volume adjustment technology used by diff erent manufacturers varies in the rate of sampling of ambient sound and in the speed with which output adjusts to changes in ambient sound. • Some APS and some installations will be more subject to responding to their own noise than others. For example, as the WALK signal continues throughout the WALK interval, the signal may get louder and louder in response to its own noise. • Diff erent tones or speech will seem louder or quieter depending on their frequency content, although they may measure the same on the dBA scale. Measuring the sound level Due to the short duration of pushbutton locator tone and WALK tone pulses, conventional analog or digital sound level meters are not able, in the crosswalk environment, to accurately measure the absolute sound level (dBA) of APS tones, or the sound level of APS tones relative to ambient sound. At present, setting and evaluation of APS sound level is typically done by ear. Th ere can be errors in making the sound too quiet or too loud. It is critical for the WALK indication to be loud enough to be audible at the crosswalk waiting location. Both the locator tone and WALK indication should be audible within 10 to 12 feet of the device, but not more than that. It has been the authors’ experience that many APS installations have been set louder than was optimal either for blind pedestrians or APS neighbors. Figure 7-11. Channelized turn lane illustration

148 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Measuring sound where audible beaconing is needed At crosswalks where audible beaconing is needed, sound level should be evaluated from the middle of the street, when the loud WALK indication has been called, to be sure beaconing will be provided throughout the crossing. However, current MUTCD language limits the maximum output of APS to 89dB, and most manufacturers pre- set this maximum. Th erefore, at exceptionally wide crossings, and when and where there is high ambient sound, there may be a distance in the middle of the crosswalk where the beaconing is not readily heard. Changes to the MUTCD limits have been recommended by NCUTCD and may be incorporated into the 2009 edition. Microphone location and effect on perceived loudness APS devices that respond to ambient sound have microphones to pick up the ambient sound. • Microphones for pedhead type devices are typically in or on the pedhead, incorporated into the APS. • Pushbutton integrated devices may have microphones at the pedhead or the microphones may be incorporated into the pushbutton housing An APS microphone should be mounted as close as possible to the position of the pedestrian who is waiting to cross the associated crosswalk, because sound pressure is halved for each doubling of the distance from the sound source in a free fi eld. Th e farther from that ideal position the microphone is for a given APS device, the greater will be the following problems. • Th e ambient traffi c sound when a microphone is located on a signal pole 10 feet from the curb line will be quieter at the microphone than at the street; therefore the resulting output will be quieter than it would be if the ambient sound were measured near the street. • Th e WALK indication, if it comes from the same pole location, may already be too quiet because the ambient sound level has been measured too far from waiting pedestrians, and it will be quieter still when its sound reaches the ears of pedestrians waiting at the crosswalk because the sound has traveled farther to reach them. • If the microphone is closer to the intersecting street than to the street the pedestrian is waiting to cross, or the microphone is oriented toward the intersecting street, it will respond to the traffi c sound on that street instead of the street the pedestrian is waiting to cross. Th is may result in WALK signals that are too loud or too quiet as perceived by pedestrians waiting to cross. Ideal microphone location Th e best location for the microphone is as close as possible to the position of pedestrians who are waiting to cross the associated street. Th is results in pedestrians being clearly able to hear APS signals with no need to set the automatic volume adjustment so high that sound levels will be too high or that APS neighbors will be annoyed.

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice 149 Post-installation checklist CHECKLIST After installation is complete, the installer should perform the following steps (detailed in sections below). A printable checklist can be found in Figure 7-12. • Evaluate and adjust the locator tone volume • Evaluate and adjust the WALK indication volume • Evaluate and set the sensitivity level of the automatic volume adjustment • Confi rm proper functioning of the WALK indicators • Check height and location of pushbutton • Check the tactile arrow • Check optional features • Check audible beaconing • Recheck the functioning at a later time LOCATOR TONE VOLUME Evaluate and adjust locator tone volume • Approach intersection along sidewalk from both directions and note when the pushbutton locator tone is audible. If there are two pushbutton locator tones at the corner, each should be audible. Th e pushbutton locator tone should be audible when 6 to 12 feet from pushbutton, or at the building line, whichever is closer to the pushbutton. • Approach corner from crosswalk and note when the pushbutton locator tone is audible. Th e pushbutton locator tone should be audible at 6 to 12 feet (or approximately one lane) from pushbutton. • Listen through several cycles at times when traffi c is noisy and at times when traffi c is quiet. • Adjust the locator tone volume as necessary. WALK INDICATION VOLUME Evaluate and adjust the volume of the WALK indication: • Stand at the curb or end of the curb ramp at the crosswalk and listen for the WALK indication. It should be audible from the crossing location. • Confi rm that the WALK indication for each crosswalk sounds closer than the WALK indication for the perpendicular crosswalk. • Listen through several cycles at times when traffi c is noisy and at times when traffi c is quiet. • Adjust the WALK indication volume as necessary.

150 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance AUTOMATIC VOLUME ADJUSTMENT Evaluate and set the sensitivity level of the automatic volume adjustment: • If volumes are adequate in quiet conditions, but do not increase enough or quickly enough when ambient noise increases, the microphone sensitivity, or automatic gain control, may need to be increased. • Increase the microphone sensitivity in 10-20% steps until the response is as desired. • It might be necessary to readjust the volume of the locator tone and WALK indications after the microphone is adjusted. CONFIRM PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE WALK INDICATION Determine if the vibrating surface, speech messages or other features of the WALK indication work properly: • Press the button and wait for the WALK indication. Th e tactile arrow or vibrating surface should vibrate rapidly only during the WALK. • Th e WALK indication (tone or speech message) should sound for the duration of the WALK interval, unless there is a special setting due to a “rest-in-WALK” situation. • If the WALK indication is a speech message, confi rm that it refers to the correct street and is appropriately worded and understandable. CHECK HEIGHT AND LOCATION OF THE PUSHBUTTON Confi rm that pushbutton height and location conform to specifi cations and can be reached by a person in a wheelchair, from a level landing. CHECK TACTILE ARROW Examine the tactile arrow. • Check that it is aligned in the direction of travel on the crosswalk. • Confi rm that it points to the street that is controlled by that pushbutton. CHECK OPTIONAL FEATURES Confi rm that optional features, if ordered, are present and functioning correctly. • Confi rm that Braille dots are raised to the touch, not depressed. If possible, request that a person who reads Braille confi rm that it is the correct label. • Press the pushbutton for an extended button press and see if the pushbutton information message plays and accurately identifi es the crossing controlled by the pushbutton, and that other information, if provided, is accurate. • Confi rm that a tactile map accurately represents the crossing features.

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice 151 CHECK AUDIBLE BEACONING If the intersection requires audible beaconing, • Press the pushbutton for an extended button press and confi rm that the sound is boosted during the following pedestrian phase for the WALK tone and for the locator tone. • Walk across the street during the pedestrian phase and evaluate placement and aim of devices to provide sound in the crosswalk area. RE-CHECK DEVICE FUNCTIONING AT A LATER TIME Follow-up during the fi rst few weeks after installation, checking device and volume at diff erent times of day to assure proper functioning. Designate a person and phone number to call and report malfunctioning devices. Share that information with agencies serving individuals who are blind and organizations of individuals who are blind in the community. APS Post-Installation Checklist APS 1 APS 2 APS 3 APS 4 APS 5 APS 6 APS 7 APS 8 Evaluate and adjust the locator tone volume Evaluate and adjust the WALK indication volume Evaluate and set the sensitivity level of the automatic volume adjustment Confirm proper functioning of the WALK indicators Check height and location of pushbutton Check the tactile arrow Check optional features Check audible beaconing Recheck the functioning at a later time Figure 7-12. APS Post-Installation Checklist

152 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Maintenance WHEN AND HOW OFTEN THE APS INSTALLATION SHOULD BE CHECKED As with any complex device, an APS has many features that could malfunction or fail in the course of its operation. If features such as WALK indication, locator tone, or signal interaction fail to work correctly, the resulting lack of information or misinformation for pedestrians who are blind can be dangerous. It is important that municipalities who have taken steps to install these devices also take steps to ensure correct functioning through the years. Th e overseeing agency should conduct an audit or checkup of the APS installations on a regular basis. Checkups should be conducted frequently if factors such as harsh weather may have aff ected the devices. At the very least, the APS should be checked: • Every 6 months • After any repairs to the intersection signals, poles or controller • After any changes to signal timing WHAT SHOULD BE CHECKED On each regular visit to conduct a checkup of the APS units, the evaluator should recheck each of the items on the original post-installation checklist (see previous section). To add more specifi c items to the list, the following list comprises some of the most common failures that have been observed on installed APS devices. Th ese items should be checked specifi cally, since some may not be obvious on a cursory glance: • Vibrating arrow/button: may stop working or have very weak vibration • WALK indication: tone or speech message may have stopped working or be delayed in sounding after the WALK interval begins • Raised arrow: may be missing or pointing in the wrong direction • Pushbutton: may be jammed or malfunctioning • Ambient noise response: may be slow to respond or have ceased responding at all OTHER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ISSUES Repairing an APS after a crash It is essential that all maintenance personnel understand the functioning of the APS and consider it during repairs. One municipality had a problem when the pole of the APS was knocked down in an accident and the repair team replaced the pole with the APS oriented toward the

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice 153 wrong street (see Figure 7-13). Th e speech message and arrow did not match up; the speech was saying “WALK sign is on to cross Harford Road” (at the correct time) but the arrow on that device pointed toward Taylor Avenue. In another instance, an APS was damaged by a car that left the roadway. Th e APS was just strapped back onto the pole with no attention to the alignment of the tactile arrow. Th e APS continued to function, but was pointing to the center of the intersection, rather than being aligned with the appropriate crosswalk. Figure 7-13. APS was temporarily replaced on the pole, but the tactile arrow points to the center of the intersection, rather than being aligned with the direction of travel on the crosswalk.

154 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Lessons Learned from APS Installations NEW TECHNOLOGY Not unlike any new technology, the fi rst installation of new types of APS devices does not always operate fl awlessly. Th ere are issues to resolve with some of the devices. In addition, reports from older installations have brought up recurring problems that need to be addressed in installation. All of the issues were easily solvable. Th e following should provide information to prevent these problems from reoccurring. Some issues include: • Wiring to pedhead and/controller • Pushbutton installation • Signal phasing • Volume adjustment • Use and wording of speech messages • Pushbutton and pole location • Tactile arrow location and position • Speaker positioning and volume • Braille signage and correct installation WIRING Some minor problems have been experienced with wiring and color code. • Prisma, a Swedish company, uses a European wire color standard. Since this standard is not consistent with the U.S. NEMA color code standards, some wiring problems were created. Care should be taken by installers of these products to be certain the devices are wired correctly. • Prisma APS have also drawn concern from signal technicians over the voltage (120 VAC) sent to the pushbutton location. Technicians are concerned about pedestrian safety if the pushbutton is damaged or the pushbutton is taken off by a passing vehicle, and a pedestrian comes in contact with the live wires or electrically charged metal pole. Step-down transformers for mounting in the pedhead are provided upon request for U.S. installation. Other problems may be related to incorrect wiring of the pushbutton units: • In one location, the technician attached the vibration wire to the speech WALK indication. Instead of the speech WALK indication that was expected, there was a rapid buzzing sound from the unit during the WALK and no vibration of the arrow as expected. Th is was easily corrected by switching the wires, once the problem was noticed and diagnosed.

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice 155 • At another location, wires from the parallel crosswalks were switched when attached to the control unit in the controller. Th ose units were programmed for the extended button press to call audible beaconing on the crosswalk, but the sound came from the APS on the parallel crosswalk, rather than from the other end of the called crosswalk. Th is problem might lead blind pedestrians to cross the intersection diagonally. PUSHBUTTON INSTALLATION AND VIBROTACTILE INDICATION When two APS pushbuttons with vibrotactile indications are installed on the same pole, they may require insulation and a rubber gasket to eliminate vibrations generated from the other pushbutton. A problem was experienced when two pushbuttons were on the same pole with no vibratory insulation (Figure 7-14). Pedestrians were unable to determine which pushbutton was vibrating, since it appeared both were. Proper insulation of the pushbutton will prevent this problem from occurring. PHASING • An installation had a problem when the signals went into fl ash mode and the APS device remained in WALK mode. Th is scenario presented an unsafe condition and message for pedestrians. Th is problem was resolved by correctly wiring the APS device into the controller/signal system so the controller logic and confl ict monitor detected and changed the pedheads to the appropriate indications. VOLUME ADJUSTMENT Although current standards call for the APS volume to only be 2 to 5 dB above ambient sound and for the locator tone to be heard from 6 to 12 feet from the pushbutton, volume is often set much louder than that. • Installers are used to devices using audible beaconing and think that APS are supposed to be loud enough to hear across the street. • Another issue is that there is no easy way to measure the volume of locator tone and WALK indication, because of the short duration of the tones or messages, the requirement to measure in relation to ambient sound, and the signal’s quick response to ambient sound. • For pushbutton integrated devices, the speaker is in the pushbutton housing. Location of the pushbutton and orientation of the speaker can be critical to hearing the WALK indication at the crosswalk. Figure 7-14. Incorrect installation of two APS on a single pole (no vibratory insulation)

156 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance One installation experienced a diff erent problem in adjusting the volume of an APS unit. • Th ey had used the pushbutton control units that install in the cabinet (as opposed to those that install in the pedhead). • Th e wiring was too small of a gauge to drive the speaker to provide a loud enough message (compounded by the pole and speaker being more than 10 feet back from the crosswalk). • Manufacturer’s guidelines and specifi cations should be followed for proper operation. Speakers can be provided for each control unit. SPEECH MESSAGES Th e speech messages used for the WALK indication, as well as the descriptive pushbutton message, must be understandable. • Poorly recorded WALK messages, by an individual with a strong accent, made the street names indistinguishable [“Pratt” and “Calvert”]. • Using a standard message, “WALK sign is on” at locations with two pushbuttons on the same pole. A pedestrian waiting to cross, who is unable to see the WALK signal, cannot distinguish which WALK is displayed from that message. • A speech message that does not have additional information that clarifi es which street the pushbutton applies to can be confusing to pedestrians unfamiliar with the intersection. For example, at the intersection of Harford and Taylor Streets, the pushbutton information message said “Harford and Taylor” for all devices. If the pedestrians do not know which street they are facing, the speech WALK message “WALK sign is on for Taylor” is unclear. • One jurisdiction wanted to use a male voice for one crossing direction and a female voice for the other to distinguish crossing directions and add to the safety of the crossing. Most APS devices provided a male voice only, however, all APS devices use messages recorded on speech chips. A diff erent voice can be specifi ed. Most devices provide self-recording message capabilities now. However, care should be taken to provide clear and understandable messages. • Speech WALK indications should be in the form, “Maple, WALK sign is on to cross Maple”. Some problems have resulted from using a diff erent message wording. PUSHBUTTON AND POLE LOCATION Some problems have been observed in locations of pushbuttons and poles of APS devices: • Poles that are more than 10 feet from the curb line create real problems for blind pedestrians who must fi nd the pushbutton and then realign to cross the street • Pushbuttons are often placed in positions that are not reachable from the sidewalk area, or in the bushes, or behind a fence

Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice 157 TACTILE ARROW AND POSITION The tactile arrow is supposed to point in the direction of pedestrian travel on the crosswalk and the face of the device is supposed to be parallel to the crosswalk it controls. SOME INSTALLATION ISSUES: • If the pole is in a poor location, the arrow may be pointing at the street and crosswalk direction but may not be within the crosswalk area. • If installers do not understand the purpose of the arrow, they may install it angled in the wrong direction. For example, if they use the holes from a previous pushbutton, the arrow may be pointing diagonally across the intersection rather than in line with the crosswalk. SPEAKER POSITIONING Pedestrian head mounted speakers in existing installations are often mounted in positions that make the messages more ambiguous. See examples in Chapter 6 in “APS Microphones and Speakers” and also earlier in this chapter. For pushbutton integrated devices, the speaker is in the pushbutton housing. Location of the pushbutton and orientation of the speaker can be critical to hearing the WALK indication at the crosswalk. If the speaker is located too far from the crosswalk location, pedestrians who are blind may not hear the WALK indication. As shown in Figure 7-15, the pushbuttons are installed incorrectly, so the APS is too far from the crosswalk it signals and the sound for the other crosswalk at the intersection comes from a speaker that is closer to the crosswalk. In Figure 7-16, the APS are installed correctly (close to the crosswalk they signal) and provide accurate information through proximity to the crosswalk. Figure 7-15. APS pushbuttons installed incorrectly Figure 7-16. APS pushbuttons installed correctly

158 Chapter 7: Installation, Operation, and Maintenance BRAILLE SIGNING AND LOCATION Braille indications on the pedestrian signals have sometimes been mounted backwards or with the braille label for the wrong street. • Manufacturers ship them with a label to clarify positioning for non-braille- readers. However, technicians might later make adjustments to the sign and reverse or mix up the braille plaques. • Adding the braille makes it so the sign cannot be turned around without reversing the braille. Th e braille must remain raised to the touch. If the original specifi cation was not correct, this limits the arrow direction and location.