Evaluation After installation is complete, at each corner for each device:
Evaluate and adjust the locator tone volume
Evaluate and set the sensitivity level of the automatic volume adjustment.
Confirm proper functioning of the WALK indicators
Check height and location of pushbutton
Check the tactile arrow
Check optional features
Check audible beaconing
Recheck the functioning at a later time.
Locator tone volume
Evaluate and adjust locator tone volume
Approach intersection along sidewalk from both directions and note
when the pushbutton locator tone is audible. If there are two pushbutton
locator tones at the corner, each should be audible. The pushbutton
locator tone should be audible when 10 to 12 feet from pushbutton,
or at the building line, whichever is closer to the pushbutton.
Approach corner from crosswalk and note when the pushbutton locator
tone is audible. The pushbutton locator tone should be audible when
10 to 12 feet (or approximately one lane) from pushbutton.
Listen through several cycles at times when traffic is noisy and
quieter
Adjust the locator tone volume as necessary.
WALK indication volume
Evaluate and adjust the volume of the WALK indication:
Stand at the curb or end of the curb ramp at the crosswalk and listen for the WALK indication. It should be audible from the crossing location.
Confirm that the WALK indication for each crosswalk sounds closer than the WALK indication for the perpendicular crosswalk
Listen through several cycles at times when traffic is noisy and quieter
Adjust the WALK indication volume as necessary.
Automatic volume adjustment
Evaluate and set the sensitivity level of the automatic volume adjustment
If volumes are adequate in quiet conditions, but do not increase enough or quickly enough when ambient noise increases, the microphone sensitivity, or automatic gain control, may need to be increased.
Increase the microphone sensitivity in approximate 20% steps until the response is as desired.
It might be necessary to readjust the volume of the locator tone and WALK indications after the microphone is adjusted.
Confirm proper functioning of the WALK indication
Determine if the vibrating surface, speech messages or other features of the WALK indication work properly:
Press the button and wait for the WALK indication. The tactile arrow or vibrating surface should vibrate rapidly only during the WALK
The WALK indication (tone or speech message) should sound for the duration of the Walk interval, unless there is a special setting due to a 'rest-in-walk' situation.
If the WALK indication is a speech message, confirm that it refers to the correct street and is appropriately worded.
Check height and location of the pushbutton Confirm that pushbutton height and location
conform to specifications and can be reached by a person in a wheelchair,
from a level landing.
Check tactile arrow
Examine the tactile arrow.
Check that it is aligned in the direction of travel on the crosswalk
Confirm that it points to the street that is controlled by that
pushbutton.
Check optional features
Confirm that optional features, if ordered, are present and functioning
correctly.
Press the pushbutton for an extended button press and see if the
pushbutton information message plays and accurately identifies the
intersection and crosswalk, and that other information, if provided,
is accurate
Confirm that a tactile map accurately represents the crossing features.
Confirm that Braille dots are raised, not depressed. If possible,
request that a person who reads Braille confirm that it is the correct
label.
Check audible beaconing
If the intersection requires audible beaconing,
Press the pushbutton for an extended button press and confirm that
the sound is boosted during the following pedestrian phase for the
WALK tone and for the locator tone.
Walk across the street during the pedestrian phase and evaluate
placement and aim of devices to provide sound in the crosswalk area.
Re-check device functioning at a later time
Follow-up during the first few weeks after installation, checking device
functioning and volume at different times of day to assure proper functioning.
Designate a person and phone number to call and report malfunctioning
devices. Share that information with agencies serving individuals who
are blind and organizations of individuals who are blind in the community.
APS
was replaced on the pole, but the tactile arrow points to the center
of the intersection, rather than being aligned with the direction
of travel on the crosswalk.
Repairing an APS after
a crash
It is essential that all maintenance personnel understand the functioning
of the APS and consider it during repairs.
One municipality had a problem when the pole of the APS was knocked down
in an accident and the repair team replaced the pole with the APS oriented
toward the wrong street. The speech message and arrow didn't match up;
the speech was saying WALK sign is on to cross Harford Road (at the correct
time) but the arrow on that device pointed toward Taylor Avenue.
In another instance, an APS was damaged by a car that left the roadway.
The APS was just strapped back onto the pole with no attention to the
alignment of the tactile arrow. The APS continued to function, but was
pointing to the center of the intersection, rather than being aligned
with the appropriate crosswalk.
