Field Evaluation of Audible Traffic Signals for Blind Pedestrians

Abstract

The project aims to single out an audible traffic signal or a pair of audible traffic signals that would enable blind pedestrians to cross intersections safely. This is carried out in three phases: 1) measuring walking alignment and crossing time of blind pedestrian subjects within a simulated corridor, with four different simultaneous traffic signals (cuckoo, peep-peep, 4-note melody and neo-cuckoo) presented in a quiet environment, 2) measuring alignment with audible traffic signals alternating on each end of the simulated corridor, in a quiet environment and 3) measuring alignment at a busy real intersection. This paper reports on the results of the first two phases. The 4-note melody originally proposed by Hall et al. (1996) and modified in a recent study (Laroche et al., 1999) gave better results in terms of localization and perception of safety than any other signals specified in the Canadian standard (Transportation Association of Canada, 1992). Audible traffic signals alternating back and forth on each side of the corridor gave better results than signals presented simultaneously from both sides.