Perception of Pedestrian Signals by Pedestrians with Varying Levels of Vision.

This study evaluates the usability of pedestrian signals by persons with varying visual acuities under different conditions of symbol size, crossing length and type of background behind the pedestrian signal. While viewing photographs presented on a computer monitor under unimpaired viewing conditions (approx. 20/20 visual acuity) and under simulated visual impairment (approx.

Nonvisual Cues for Aligning to Cross Streets.

Accurately aligning to the crosswalk is an important component of safe street crossing for pedestrians who are blind. Six alignment cues were evaluated in a simulated crosswalk environment in which crosswalk angle was not always in line with ramp slope. The effectiveness of each cue is reported and implications are discussed.

Audible Beaconing with Accessible Pedestrian Signals.

PURPOSE: Although Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) are often assumed to provide wayfinding information, the type of APS that has been typically installed in the U.S has not had positive effects on finding crosswalks, locating pushbuttons, or providing directional guidance. This paper reports the results of research on crossings by blind pedestrians at complex signalized intersections, before and after the installation of APS with innovative audible beaconing features, designed to improve wayfinding.

Blind Pedestrians and the Changing Technology and Geometry of Signalized Intersections: Safety, Orientation, and Independence.

This study documented that blind pedestrians have considerable difficulty locating crosswalks, aligning to cross, determining the onset of the walk interval, maintaining a straight crossing path, and completing crossings before the onset of perpendicular traffic at complex signalized intersections. Revised techniques and strategies are suggested for alleviating these difficulties.

Directional guidance from audible pedestrian signals for street crossing.

Typical audible pedestrian signals indicate when the pedestrian walk interval is in effect but provide little, or even misleading information for directional alignment. In three experiments, blind and blindfolded sighted adults crossed a simulated crossing with recorded traffic noise to approximate street sounds. This was done to investigate how characteristics of signal presentation affected usefulness of the auditory signal for guiding crossing behaviour.

New orientation and accessibility option for persons with visual impairment: transportation applications for remote infrared audible signage.

BACKGROUND: For a blind or visually impaired person, a vital prerequisite to accessing any feature of the built environment is being able to find this feature. Braille signs, even where available, do not replace the functions of print signage because they cannot be read from a distance. Remotely readable infrared signs utilise spoken infrared message transmissions to label key environmental features, so that a blind person with a suitable receiver can locate and identify them from a distance.