Accessible Pedestrian Signals: Synthesis and Guide to Best Practice (Full Document)

Author(s):

Barlow, Janet M., M.Ed., COMS; Bentzen, Billie Louise, Ph.D., COMS; Tabor, Lee S., AIA

Organization:

National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council

Publisher/Date:

US Access Board (ATBCB), 2003

Rating:

Very Useful

Abstract:

Without question, this is the best source material available on accessible pedestrian signals -- what they are, how and where to use them, and the rules and regulations governing them that can be found.  But this book is more: it is an excellent introduction to the way visually impaired folks navigate the environment.  Although it might be too bulky as an everyday reference book, it commands a place on the shelf of planners and designers as the ultimate source book. 

The book is divided into 16 chapters grouped together into 5 sections: Sections A, Background; Section B, APS Technologies and Features; Section C, Choosing and Installing APS; Section D, Case Studies; and Section E, APS Products.  There is something in every section for everyone, be they planners, designers, spec writers, or construction supervisors.

Another sterling feature of the book is its format and layout.  Chapters are logically arranged; marginalia tells one where they are in the chapter subject; and, unprecedented among the material reviewed, pages contain a lot of white which makes the document aesthetically pleasing as well as adding to the clarity.

In short, even if you already have the summary, you should acquire this book also.

Very Useful for advocates, specification writers, and municipal transportation departments, and as an information source for designers.

Annotation:

Little more can be said about Accessible Pedestrian Signals other than giving a more elaborate description of the contents. It is unnecessary to lavish more praise on the book.

Chapters 1 through 4 comprise Section A, Background. The description of the way visually impaired individuals cope with environmental situations, Chapter 1, is probably the most important chapter in the book and should be read and re-read by all designers.  A particularly intriguing juxtaposition would be to read in Section 2.1.1 of The Effect of Cognitive Impairment on Older Pedestrians the description of road-crossing behavior (quoted in full in the review of this document found elsewhere) at the same time.

Chapter 2 is titled “Research” and is essentially in two parts.  The first half, containing a good summary of the common problems associated with APS, is of some importance to designers; the second half describes work in progress and is more academic.

Chapter 3 is a not too long, not too short summary of laws and regulations. The one exception is the longish summary of sections 4E.06 and 4E.08 of the MUTCD. From its length, one might attach too much importance to these guidelines.  On the other hand, the authors retelling is the clearest rendition of those sections that can be found anywhere.

Chapter 4 presents four foreign case studies, allowing the reader to see what’s happening elsewhere in the world.

Chapters 5, 6, and 7 comprise Section B, and describe APS -- the types, their functioning, and their features.  Read it with a finger holding your place in Chapter 16.

Chapters 8, 9, 10, and 11 give design guidance, and the other two chapters that round out Section C, 12 and 13, are of prime interest to spec writers and construction supervisors respectively, although there is a lot of information in 12 valuable to engineers doing working drawings.

Chapter 14 gives case studies for 9 US cities.

Section E is titled APS Products.  In it, Chapter 15 lists manufacturers, but you must go to its Chapter 16 for their web sites and a matrix comparing the features of their products.

Finally, a half dozen appendices are included, the first three are relevant sections of the MUTCD, the existing PROWAAC, and the new Draft PROW Accessibility Guidelines.  Appendix D, E, and F are rating systems, resources, and glossary respectively.

Strengths:

• Completely covers the subject; contains a lot of information in an excellent and clear format.
• Comprehensive description on how visually impaired folks navigate the environment.
• Has an excellent chart with products as the abscissa and functional characteristics as the ordinate.
• Every design recommendations is based on desired performance, with its rationale.
• Best practices are in the body of the text.  Regulatory minimum are in the appendices or listed after the best practice recommendation.

Weaknesses:

• The space given to the MUTCD in Chapter 3 may lead some designers to follow its guidance as best practice.  On the other hand, the authors’ re-write of sections 4E.06 and 4E.08 are uncanny in their clarity, much better than the original.

Suggestions for Future Editions:

• Vigilant updates of the appendices

Record Last Updated:

July 2006