Audio-tactile pedestrian facilities

Audio-tactile facilities are the push-button systems at traffic signals which give pedestrians signals to show when to cross and not to cross the road. The following guideline details Brisbane City Council's audio-tactile pedestrian facilities standards.

Guidelines for audio-tactile pedestrian facilities

Overview

Signals are fitted with audio-tactile devices, which can be heard, felt and seen by pedestrians with a vision or hearing impairment. Providing this type facility at signals assists mobility for pedestrians with a vision or hearing impediment to cross roads and intersections.

Applicability

This guideline is applied when Council:

• or a developer is installing new signalised crossings which will have pedestrian facilities
• receives a written request or, of its own volition, decides to install audio-tactile devices in existing signalised crossings
• receives a written request or, decides of its own volition, modifies the audio level of an existing audio-tactile device - tones cannot be disabled/switch off.

Definitions

Audio-tactile device: a push button system at traffic signals, which when pushed, provides pedestrians with audible signals to indicate when to cross and not to cross the road. The system produces two noises. The first a slow pulsing noise, which enables pedestrians to find the push button. The second is an actuated, fast pulse which indicates when to cross.

Audible component: a continuous pulse which enables persons with a visual impairment to find the button or a fast pulse which indicates when to cross.

Tactile component: the vibrating pulse within the push button which allows persons with a visual or hearing impairment to find the button.

Guidelines

Access to traffic and signal information is an important feature of traffic signal systems for pedestrians who have vision and hearing impairments.

Audio-tactile signals that consist of both audible and tactile components are used to help pedestrians who have vision and hearing impairments to:

• locate the relevant push-button assembly for the purpose of registering a pedestrian demand
• determine when the walk signal is displayed for the crossing.

1. Installation of signals at new crossings

Audio-tactile devices will be considered for installation in all new signalised crossings that have pedestrian facilities.

Where a new signalised crossing (with pedestrian facilities) is to be installed, Council will determine whether an audio-tactile device is required at that crossing by considering:

• road characteristics (i.e. type of road, geography of road, existence of footpath ramp, width of road)
• area use (i.e. commercial, residential, rural, special facilities)
• surrounding signal patterns
• traffic volume (and effect on ambient noise)
• number of crossings required
• budget
• equipment availability programming of works

Where there is a need for a pedestrian crossing a audio-tactile device at the new crossing, the audio level of the audio-tactile device may be determined following consultation with the Guide Dogs Association, Visually Impaired Association (VIA), Blind Citizens Australia (BCA) and other affected parties (including residents in close proximity).

2. Installation of audio-tactile devices at existing signalised crossings

Where a signalised crossing (with pedestrian facilities) already exists, Council may consider installing audio-tactile devices upon its own volition or after receiving written application from the Guide Dogs Association, BCA, VIA, or groups who represent the interests of a vision or hearing impaired person, or from members of the public.

The written application should:

• identify the applicant as either a:
  • person or persons with a visual or hearing impairment
  • an individual or group (such as the Guide Dogs Association, BCA or the VIA) making application on behalf of a person with a visual or hearing impairment
• explain why the applicant requires an audio-tactile device at a particular signalised crossing
• identify the probable frequency, and the range of times, that the applicant will be likely to use the pedestrian facilities to determine the audio level.

If these details are not advised on the application, they may be determined through consultation with the applicant.

After receiving an application, Council will consider:

• the contents of the application document (including any direct consultation with the applicant)
• road characteristics (i.e. type of road, geography of road, existence of footpath ramp, width of road)
• area use (i.e. commercial, residential, rural, special facilities)
• surrounding signal patterns
• traffic volume (and effect on ambient noise)
• proposed level of audio
• number of crossings required
• budget
• equipment availability
• programming of works.

Where Council decides to install an audio-tactile device at an existing signalised crossing:

• the audio-tactile device may be retro-fitted to the existing pedestrian facilities at the signalised crossing
• the audio level of the audio-tactile device may be determined following consultation with the Guide Dogs Association, BCA, VIA and other affected parties (including residents proximate to the crossing)

3. Standards

Audio-tactile devices comply with the Australian Standard AS2353-1999.

4. Site requirements

One audio-tactile device can be fitted to each post. If necessary a push-button post can be installed to avoid mounting two devices on any one post. The audio-tactile push buttons are to be appropriately located to minimise confusion as to which crossing the buttons are associated.

5. Noise nuisance

New audio-tactile device installations should comply with AS2535-1999 so as to minimise noise complaints. Where noise complaints are received, the site should be inspected to establish whether there is a reverberation problem and to ensure microphones are appropriately located to measure the ambient road noise and the microphone setting is appropriate. If the audio-tactile device does not comply with AS2535-1999, the audio-tactile device should be upgraded to comply with AS2535-1999.

Technology is available to lower the volume of audio-tactile devices to within acceptable ranges for users, as the noise emitted by the device during the night can sometimes be a significant noise nuisance for nearby residents.

While Council has an obligation to ensure that any facilities it provides to the public are appropriate having regard to the use to which the facilities are put, this obligation also needs to be appropriately balanced with the amenity of residents and the safety of all pedestrians.

6.  Modifying the audio level of audio-tactile pedestrian devices

Council may consider written requests to modify the audio level of an existing audio-tactile device (by adjusting the audio level of the device. The devices have built in microphones which measure ambient noise and adjusts the output level to maintain a consistent level above the ambient noise level.

Generally, a request to modify audio level of an existing audio-tactile device would be made about a particular crossing or set of crossings at a particular intersection or location.

Council will investigate the audio levels of the device and will adjust the pre-configured level of the tones, e.g., low, normal or high, to ensure the noise levels are appropriate to the environment.

If Council finds the audio levels are set to low, Council cannot further decrease the audio levels due as this is the minimum level allowed under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) to ensure community safety.

Details of any modification to the audio levels of audio-tactile devices will be communicated to relevant stakeholders.