APS Design in New Construction
Draft and Proposed PROWAG
Revised Draft Public Rights-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (Draft PROWAG) were released on November 23, 2005. While Draft PROWAG has not been published as a final rule, it can be considered as the best guidance available at this time (Isler memo, 2006). Proposed Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way were published July 26, 2011 (Proposed PROWAG) and incorporate the 2009 MUTCD by reference.
APS Characteristics
The Proposed PROWAG requires APS to meet MUTCD specifications in Section 4E.08 through Section 4E.13 in new construction and reconstruction where pedestrian signals are installed:
- APS devices integral with the pushbutton
- Audible and vibrotactile indications of the WALK interval
- WALK indication by tone or speech message
- Pushbutton locator tone wherever there is a pedestrian pushbutton
- Tactile arrow indicating the direction of travel on the crosswalk, and
Proposed PROWAG also requires APS to meet requirements for Operable Parts found in PROWAG section R409.
Location in new construction
Figure 6-7. APS installation in new construction
The Proposed PROWAG section on Operable Parts requires the pushbutton to be accessible by requiring :
- Clear space that is level and least 2.5 ft by 4ft at the pushbutton,
- Location within specified reach ranges from clear space , and
- That the clear space at the pushbutton connects to or overlaps the pedestrian access route.
MUTCD recommended locations
MUTCD 2009 has provided much more specific recommendations for the location of all pushbuttons (pedestrian detectors) which addresses the proposed PROWAG requirements above. Guidance in Paragraph 4 of the MUTCD Section 4E.08 states
04 If pedestrian pushbuttons are used, they should be capable of easy activation and conveniently located near each end of the crosswalks. Except as provided in Paragraphs 5 and 6, pedestrian pushbuttons should be located to meet all of the following criteria (see Figure 4E-3):
- A. Unobstructed and adjacent to a level all-weather surface to provide access from a wheelchair;
- B. Where there is an all-weather surface, a wheelchair accessible route from the pushbutton to the ramp;
- C. Between the edge of the crosswalk line (extended) farthest from the center of the intersection and the side of a curb ramp (if present), but not greater than 5 feet from said crosswalk line;
- D. Between 1.5 and 6 feet from the edge of the curb, shoulder, or pavement;
- E. With the face of the pushbutton parallel to the crosswalk to be used; and
- F. At a mounting height of approximately 3.5 feet, but no more than 4 feet, above the sidewalk.
Paragraphs 5 and 6 are exceptions that allow for the surface to be as level as possible and for the pushbutton to be up to 10 feet from the curb if necessary.
Paragraph 7 of 4E.08 recommends that two pushbuttons on the same corner should be separated by at least 10 feet. Paragraph 8 allows pushbuttons to be closer, or on the same pole, “where there are physical constraints on a particular corner that make it impractical to provide the 10-foot separation.”
APS locations
Figure 6-8. Ideal placement for pushbutton-integrated APS
APS locations
Figure 6-9. Acceptable placement for pushbutton-integrated APS
Location details
Figure 6-10. The APS should be located on the intersection side of the pole, as shown in this photo
Figure 6-11. The MUTCD states that the APS should be within 5 feet of the crosswalk line
Figure 6-12. The APS should be within 6 feet of the curb, with an exception that allows APS to be placed up to 10 feet from the curb, if necessary
Installation Example
Figure 6-13. APS installed in this reconstruction location are in accordance with MUTCD and Proposed PROWAG in that they are beside a level landing and separated from each other by at least 10 feet (3 m). Both APS are located on the intersection side of their poles.
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