The city Department of Transportation (DOT) kicked off its new initiative to install audible pedestrian signals at 25 different intersections throughout New York to help visually impaired pedestrians.
The Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) emit audible clicking sounds that alert sight-impaired pedestrians when the “walk” phase is available at a given intersection. The DOT has worked heavily with disabled communities, including Pedestrians for Accessible and Safe Streets (PASS) to implement the new signals.
“Audible signals are literally sound investments that will help improve the safety and quality of life for the most vulnerable New Yorkers who use our streets,” said DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan. “Whether it’s installing countdown signals or shortening crossing distances, we’re committed to engineering streets to make them even safer.”
The program kicked off at the corner of 7th Avenue and 23rd Street in Manhattan on Wednesday. In Queens, APS signals will soon be installed at the intersection of Queens and Woodhaven boulevards.
