November 13, 1998

To:The Urban Environment and Development Committee

From:General Manager, Transportation Services

Subject:Audible Pedestrian Signals Program

Purpose:

To report on the priority system for the installation of audible pedestrian signals, and mechanisms to install audible pedestrian signals at a faster rate than eight per year.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

The funds associated with audible pedestrian signals installations are contained in the Works and Emergency Services Capital Program under Project No. C-TR037. In 1998, the budget is $200,000, and this amount has been proposed for 1999. The Audible Pedestrian Signals Advisory Group has requested increased funding to finance the outstanding requests for the installation of audible pedestrian signals. Staff have estimated that a budget of approximately $1,100,000 would be required to address the backlog.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)staff report in the Spring of 1999 on strategies to obtain additional funding for APS installations, including:

i)seeking special funding from the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada;

ii)assisting the APS Advisory Group in seeking corporate sponsorship; and

(2)staff, in conjunction with the APS Advisory Group, evaluate all proposed new traffic control signal locations to determine whether it is appropriate to include APS as part of the initial installation.

Background:

The Urban Environment and Development Committee on September 8, 1998, had before it the following communication and memorandum:

(i)(August 27, 1998) from Mr. Garnett Martin, Chair, Audible Pedestrian Signals Advisory Group, advising that there are 41 outstanding requests for the installation of audible pedestrian signals; that, at the present rate of funding, it will take three-and-one-half years to install those signals, by which time an additional 41 requests will have been received; and recommending that City Council give consideration to a special grant of $640,000.00 in 1998 to finance the installation of outstanding approved requests for audible pedestrian signals.

(ii)(September 8, 1998) from Mr. Les Kelman, Director, Transportation Systems, Works and Emergency Services Department, advising that as of September 8, 1998, audible pedestrian signals have been installed at 20 locations, and the Division's 1998 budget estimates will permit the installation of an additional eight signals; explaining that the average installation costs have risen to $25,000.00 per location to cover other treatments required in conjunction with the audible pedestrian signals in order to make the locations more accessible for pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired; stating that staff could address the current backlog of 43 requests in 1999 if a capital budget of approximately $1,100,000.00 was provided.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee:

(1)requested the Audible Pedestrian Signals Advisory Group, in consultation with the General Manager, Transportation Services, and in accordance with the budget allocation, to develop a detailed priority system for the installation of audible pedestrian signals, together with an annual recommendation which identifies high priority locations;

(2)requested the General Manager, Transportation Services, to submit a report to the Urban Environment and Development Committee, on:

(a)potential mechanisms which could be utilized in order to install audible pedestrian signals at a higher rate than they are currently installed;

(b)any alternative technologies which may be available and the costs thereof; and

(c)the cost of making audible pedestrian signals standard equipment in new traffic control signal installations, and on the incremental cost-savings which might accrue as a result thereof; and

(3)received the aforementioned communication and memorandum.

Discussion:

(1)Priority System

The Audible Pedestrian Signals (APS) Advisory Group currently has in place a detailed priority system. The system was developed in consultation with the staff of Transportation Services. An annual list of high priority locations is prepared, based on the budget allocation.

In evaluating the relative merits of installing Audible Pedestrian Signals (APS) at requested locations, the priority system considers:

a)the number of pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired who cross the road at that location;

b)an evaluation of the relative importance of the location by organizations representing the blind and visually impaired;

c)an evaluation by local community groups where relevant;

d)the date the request was submitted; and

e)staff input on the feasibility of installing APS at a location.

(2)Potential Mechanisms for Higher Installation Rate

APS could be installed at a higher rate than they are currently installed if more funds were available.

To date, funding for APS has come from several sources.

Municipal Budgets

i)Works and Emergency Services Capital Program - $400,000.00

ii)former City of North York Parks and Recreation Department - North York Committee for Persons with Disabilities -$50,000.00

iii)former City of Toronto Facilities Management Division - Action Committee for People with Disabilities - Retrofit Subcommittee Program for City Hall - $50,000.00

The 1999 Capital Budget submission includes $200,000.00 for the APS Program, which is far short of the estimated $1,100,000.00 required to address the backlog. However, given competing demands for capital funding for other priority programs, the $200,000.00 currently allocated for the APS Program in 1999 appears fair and reasonable. Staff will approach the provincial and federal governments to discuss the feasibility of obtaining special additional funding for this program.

Corporate Sponsorship

IBM Canada - $44,700.00

The APS Advisory Group has had contact with several potential private sponsors. These sponsors typically are interested in specific locations. The APS Advisory Group has been working on a corporate sponsorship mailing to encourage greater participation. The City of Toronto could offer to commit resources to assist with a corporate sponsorship drive.

(3)Alternative Technologies

The best known alternative technology in North America is probably "Talking Signs®". This system provides directional human voice messages by invisible infrared light beams from permanently installed transmitters at an intersection, to a hand-held receiver that decodes the signal and delivers the voice message through its speaker or headset. This technology has been tested in broader applications to identify landmarks, public telephones, buses, etc.

The APS Advisory Group and City of Toronto staff have not pursued this technology because it would only provide assistance to pedestrians who had hand-held receivers. Therefore, Talking Signs, Inc. has not been approached for cost estimates.

(4)Cost of Making APS Standard Equipment in New Traffic Control Signal Installations.

The cost of actually installing APS in conjunction with the installation of a new traffic control signal is $9,000.00. The cost to return to that intersection at a later date and install APS would be $14,500.00.

Staff have taken the first step towards reducing the cost of installing APS at new traffic control signal installations, by ensuring that the designs are compatible with APS requirements.

While installing APS in conjunction with new traffic control signals results in installation cost savings, it is not necessarily the most cost-effective method of managing the APS Program, since it is possible that APS could end up being installed where there is no demonstrated need. A more cost-effective strategy would be to have staff evaluate, in conjunction with the APS Advisory Group, all approved new traffic control signal locations. If there was merit in installing APS, then APS would be included in the installation.

Conclusions:

The APS Advisory Group has a detailed priority system for the installation of APS. The current proposed funding level of $200,000.00 per year is fair and reasonable given all of the other demands on the Capital Works Program. Staff should investigate strategies to obtain additional funding for APS installations from other sources.

Contact Name:

Ron Stewart

Senior Manager, Traffic Systems

(416) 397-7592

David C. Kaufman

General Manager, Transportation Services

Barry Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

RWS/bs/wo