EVALUATION OF AUDIBLE TRAFFIC SIGNALS FOR PEDESTRIANS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

In Canada, audible traffic signals are widely used to enable pedestrians with visual impairment to cross safely. The acoustic parameters can be quite different among the various signals used, which can be a source of particular difficulties for the users. This paper describes a study conducted to identify which signal was the easiest to localize, from among 6 signals proposed, and which one was judged the safest. Two of the signals are standardized by the Transportation Association of Canada, and the remaining 4 are variations of the melody signal proposed by the Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille (Quebec, Canada). 10 subjects with normal vision and 10 subjects with visual impairment participated. Objective sound localization measurements were made outside on a quiet street using a rotating chair as angular pointer. A questionnaire was administered to obtain individual appraisal of the 6 signals. Results for the melody signals varied substantially with the fundamental frequency and harmonic richness of the musical sequence. Two of the melodies, with the lowest fundamental frequency and richest harmonic content, emerged as the best signals overall for localization and safety.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07116659
• Corporate Authors:

  Canadian Acoustical Association

  P.O. Box 1351
  Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2V9,   Canada 
• Authors:
  • Giguere, C
  • Laroche, C
  • Poirier, P
• Publication Date: 2003-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 3-11
• Serial:
  • Canadian Acoustics
  • Volume: 31
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Canadian Acoustical Association
  • ISSN: 0711-6659

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Audible pedestrian signals; Crosswalks; Harmonics; Human factors; Pedestrian movement; Pedestrian safety; Signalized intersections; Traffic safety; Visually impaired persons
• Geographic Terms: Canada
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00963285
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 16 2003 12:00AM