What are APS? Audible pedestrian signals (APS) provides audible and/or vibrotactile information coinciding with visual pedestrian signals to let pedestrians who are blind know precisely when the WALK interval begins. This information is useful in analyzing an intersection and preparing to cross.
Pedestrians who know when the crossing interval begins will be able to start a crossing before turning cars enter the Intersection and can complete a crossing with less delay. Audible signals can also provide directional guidance, which is particularly useful at non-perpendicular intersections and at wide multi-lane crossings. (source: US Access Board[link 1]
There are currently 101 APS in San Antonio, and the city continues to work to place more APS at busy intersections.
2006-2013 Audible Pedestrian Signals
There are currently 15 APS in the Downtown San Antonio area.
2006-2013 Audible Pedestrian Signals - Downtown
Audible Pedestrian Signals Installed in Some Other Cities
Austin: The city has 15 APS and is in the process of surveying other locations for more devices.
El Paso: The city currently has 33 APS. Two are in the downtown area and with the majority surrounding the hospital district. There are currently plans to place 13 more APS.
Houston: There are approximately 60-70 intersections with APS in the city. There are none at this time in the downtown area, but there are 10 in the Midtown section.
City
|
APS #
|
City
|
APS #
|
Alexandria , VA
|
50
|
Portland , OR
|
127
|
Atlanta , GA
|
25
|
San Francisco , CA
|
124
|
Bakersfield , CA
|
9
|
Seattle , WA
|
102
|
Boston , MA
|
80
|
St. Paul , MN
|
22
|
Cambridge , MA
|
24
|
Tempe , AZ
|
28
|
Charlotte , NC
|
40
|
Yuba City , CA
|
36
|
Kansas City , MO
|
20
|
Ottawa , Canada
|
452
|
New York City , NY (and 4 Burroughs)
|
46
|
Toronto , Canada
|
451
|