Three pedestrian phasing with audible pedestrian signals configurations: Experience of blind or visually impaired persons in Quebec City (Canada)

Objective

Audible pedestrian signals are strategically placed in some intersections to enhance safety, independence and accessibility for blind or visually impaired persons. This study appraised the sense and level of safety of blind or visually impaired persons with respect to three types of pedestrian phasing with audible pedestrian signals configurations that exist in Quebec City, Canada. These include: 1) exclusive phasing with non-directional audible pedestrian signals; 2) exclusive phasing with directional audible pedestrian signals; and 3) concurrent phasing with directional audible pedestrian signals.

Methods

Experiments with 18 participants were conducted at six crossing corridors that were carefully selected by members of an advisory committee that included diverse stakeholders. In addition to the three possible pedestrian phasing with audible pedestrian signals configurations, situations involving short and long crossing distances were included. Each corridor was crossed three times by each participant. For each crossing, participants' trajectories were objectively determined using a satellite positioning system which uses a relative positioning mode. Participants’ sense of safety was also questioned after each crossing using a visual analog scale.

Results

The results obtained do not allow for the identification of an ideal configuration or even a configuration to avoid based on the level of safety. However, findings suggest that the exclusive phasing with directional audible pedestrian signals configuration is perceived to be the safest option by the participants.

Conclusion

This study may have practical implications on the design of intersections (e.g., selection of a type of pedestrian phasing with audible pedestrian signal) and the training of blind or visually impaired pedestrians.