APS Resources

Accessible Pedestrian Signals
Resources & References

www.apsguide.org is a comprehensive site on Accessible Pedestrian Signals

Barlow, J.M. (2009). Common Problems Arising in the Installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals.  Washington, D.C.: U.S. Access Board.

Harkey, D.L., Carter, D.L., Barlow, J.M. and Bentzen, B.L. (2010) Available at www.apsguide.org

The blind community and the city of San Francisco signed a historic agreement on APS in 2007.  The following resources are available on Lainey Feingold’s website:

San Francisco APS Technical Specifications
San Francisco full APS agreement
Press release announcing the San Francisco Agreement

Access Board (2011) Proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way.  (July 26, 2011) Washington, D.C.: U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.

Access Board.  (2005) Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way (November 23, 2005). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.

Access Board, 2001. Building a true community: Final report, Public Rights-of-Way Access Advisory Committee, Washington, D.C. U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.

Ashmead, D.H., Wall, R.S., Bentzen, B.L., & Barlow, J.M. (2004). Which crosswalk? Effects of audible pedestrian signal characteristics. ITE Journal, 74(9), 26-31. Retrieved from link.

Barlow, J.M., Franck, L., Bentzen, B.L., & Sauerburger, D. (2001). Pedestrian clearance intervals at modern intersections: Implications for the safety of pedestrians who are visually impaired. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 95, 663-667. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X0109501105

Barlow, J. M., Bentzen, B.L., Bond, T. and Gubbe, D. (2006) Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Effect on Safety and Independence of Pedestrians who are Blind. Transportation Research Board 85th annual meeting compendium of papers. CD-Rom, Transportation Research Board, Washington, D.C.

Barlow, J.M., & Franck, L. (2005). Crossroads: Modern interactive intersections and Accessible Pedestrian Signals.  Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 99, 599-610. Retrieved from link.

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, 587-598. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X0509901003

Barlow, J.M., Scott, A.C., & Bentzen, B.L. (2009). Audible beaconing with accessible pedestrian signals. AER Journal: Research and Practice in Visual Impairment and Blindness, 2(4), 149-158. Retrieved from link.

Bentzen, B.L., Barlow, J.M., & Franck, L. (2002). Determining Recommended Language for Speech Messages used by Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Final Report. Accessible Design for the Blind. Retrieved from link.

Bentzen, B.L., Barlow, J.M., & Franck, L. (2000). Addressing barriers to blind pedestrians at signalized intersections. ITE Journal, 70(9), 32-35. Retrieved from link.

Bentzen, B.L., Barlow, J.M., & Gubbé, D. (2000). Locator tones for pedestrian signals. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1705, 40-42. https://doi.org/10.3141/1705-07

Bentzen, B.L., Crandall, W.F., & Myers, L. (1999). Wayfinding system for transportation services: Remote infrared audible signage for transit stations, surface transit, and intersections. Transportation Research Record, 1671, 19-26. https://doi.org/10.3141/1671-04

Bentzen, B.L., Barlow, J.M., & Franck, L. (2004). Speech messages for Accessible Pedestrian Signals. ITE Journal, 74(9), 20-24. Retrieved from link.

Bentzen, B.L., Barlow, J.M., & Bond, T. (2004). Challenges of unfamiliar signalized intersections for pedestrians who are blind: Research on safety. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1878, 51-57. https://doi.org/10.3141/1878-07

Bentzen, B. L., Scott, A. C., & Barlow, J. M. (2006). Accessible pedestrian signals: Effect of device features. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1982(1), 30-37. Retrieved from link.

Brabyn, J.A., Haegerström-Portnoy, G, Schneck, M.E. & Lott, L.A. (2000). Visual impairments in elderly people under everyday viewing conditions. Journal of visual impairment and blindness, 94(12), 741-755. Retrieved from link.

Carroll, J. & Bentzen, B.L. (1999). American Council of the Blind survey of intersection accessibility. The Braille Forum, 38, 11-15.

Carter, D.L., Harkey, D.L., Bentzen, B.L., and Barlow, J.M.  (2006).  Development of an intersection prioritization tool for accessible pedestrian signal installation.  Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1982, 13-20. Retrieved from link.

Crandall, W., Bentzen, B.L., & Myers, L. (1999). Remote Signage development to address current and emerging access problems for blind individuals. Part III. Emergency information for people with visual impairments: Evaluation of five accessible formats. Report to National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

Crandall, W., Bentzen, B.L., Myers, L., & Brabyn, J. (2001). New orientation and accessibility option for persons with visual impairment: transportation applications for remote infrared audible signage. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 84, 120-131. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1444-0938.2001.tb04955.x

Easter Seals Project ACTION (2003).  Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Curriculum Development Project, Draft Final Report.  Washington, D.C.: Project ACTION.

Federal Highway Administration. (2009). Manual on uniform traffic control devices for streets and highways. Washington, D.C.: Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

Federal Highway Administration. (2004). Accessible Sidewalks and Street Crossings – an informational guide.  Washington, D.C.: Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. Retrieved from link.

Gallagher, B., & Montes de Oca, P. (1998). Guidelines for assessing the need for adaptive devices for visually impaired pedestrians at signalized intersections. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 92(9), 633-646. Retrieved from link.

Hall, G., Rabelle, A., & Zabihaylo, C. (1994). Audible traffic signals: A new definition. Montreal: Montreal Association for the Blind.

Harkey, D.L., Carter, D.L., Barlow, J.M., Bentzen, B.L., Myers, L., & Scott, A. (2007). Guidelines for Accessible Pedestrian Signals, Final Report. Contractor’s Final Report for NCHRP Project 3-62, NCHRP Web-Only Document 117B. Retrieved from link.

Harkey, D.L., Carter, D.L., Barlow, J.M., & Bentzen, B.L. (2007). Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practice. NCHRP Web-Only Document 117A. Retrieved from link.

Hulscher, F. (1976). Traffic signal facilities for blind pedestrians. Australian Road Research Board Proceedings 8, 13-26.

Murakami, T., Ishikawa, M., Ohkura, M., Sawai, H., Takato, J., & Tauchi, M. (1998). Identification of difficulties of the independent blind travelers to cross intersection with/without audible traffic signals. Proceedings: The 9th International Mobility Conference, Atlanta, GA.

Noyce, D.A., & Barlow, J.M. (2003). Interfacing Accessible Pedestrian Signals with Traffic Signal Control Equipment. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Access Board. Retrieved from link.

Oliver, M.B., Feagan, J.C., & Ardeliani, S.A. (1990). Audible Pedestrian Signals – Current Practices and Future Needs. ITE Journal, 60(6) 35-38. Retrieved from link.

San Diego Association of Governments. Evaluation of audible pedestrian traffic signals. San Diego Association of Governments, 1988.

Scott, A. C., Barlow, J. M., Guth, D. A., Bentzen, B. L., Cunningham, C. M., & Long, R. (2011). Walking between the lines: Nonvisual cues for maintaining heading during street crossings. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 105(10), 662-674. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X1110501012

Scott, A. C., Myers, L., Barlow, J. M., & Bentzen, B. L. (2005). Accessible pedestrian signals: The effect of pushbutton location and audible “walk” indications on pedestrian behavior.  Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1939(1), 69-76. Retrieved from link.

Szeto, A.Y.J.. & Valerio, N.C. (1990). Characteristics and usage of audible pedestrian traffic signals. Proceedings of the 5th Annual Conference on Technology and Persons with Disabilities, 665-682.

Szeto, A.Y.J., Valerio, N., & Novak, R. (1991). Audible pedestrian traffic signals: Part 1. Prevalence and impact. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 28(2), 57-64. Retrieved from link.

Szeto, A.Y.J., Valerio, N., & Novak, R. (1991).  Audible pedestrian traffic signals: Part 2. Analysis of sounds emitted. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 28(2), 65-70. Retrieved from link.

Szeto, A.Y.J., Valerio, N., & Novak, R. (1991). Audible pedestrian traffic signals: Part 3. Detectability. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, 28(2), 71-78. Retrieved from link.

Uslan, M.M., Peck, A.F. and Waddell, W. (1985). Audible traffic signals: How useful are they? ITE Journal, 58(9), 37-43.

Van Houten, R., Malenfant, J., Van Houten, J., & Retting, R. (1997). Using auditory pedestrian signals to reduce pedestrian and vehicle conflicts. Transportation Research Record, Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1578. Retrieved from link.

U.S. Department of Justice. (2010). 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice.

U.S. Department of Justice. (1994). ADA Standards for Accessible Design. 28 CFR PART 36. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice.

Wall, R.S., Ashmead, D.H., Bentzen, B.L., & Barlow, J. (2004). Directional guidance of audible pedestrian signals for street crossing. Ergonomics, 47(12), 1318-1338. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130410001712609

Williams, M.D., Van Houten, R., Ferraro, J., & Blasch, B. (2005). Field comparison of two types of accessible pedestrian signals. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1939, 91-98. Retrieved from link.

Wiener, W. R., Lawson, G., Naghshineh, K., Brown, J., Bischoff, A., & Toth, A. (1997). The use of traffic sounds to make street crossings by persons who are visually impaired. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 91, 435-445. Retrieved from link.