Traffic systems – Traffic light guiding system for the physically impaired (VSS2007/304)
Overview
Background & policy context:
When planning light-signal systems, pedestrians have for a long time been considered to be an independent traffic flow. For some years, tactile, sonic and optical signals have been used for blind and visually impaired persons. This has already been reflected in Standard SN 860 836-1 „Signals for visually impaired persons“.
In traffic-planning and in the development of a traffic infrastructure, slow-moving traffic has meanwhile gained greater significance than in the past. Consequently, elderly people and persons with disabilities, who have the same right to assured mobility as younger and healthy persons, deserve greater attention. A distinction is drawn between elderly and disabled persons because older, healthy persons no longer have the same physical fitness as younger persons and because there are restrictions in mobility in all age groups.
Under the aspect of barrier-free constructions, the research needs are to elaborate specific requirements for the mobility of disabled and elderly people in road traffic and particularly at light-signal-controlled intersections and crossings.
Objectives:
The research project aims at analyzing the actual planning and implementation status of traffic-related and structural measures for disabled and elderly people, at making proposals as to further developments, and at providing methodical help for planners and operators of traffic control systems.
An update and, if necessary, an extension of the standard is possible and envisaged on the basis of the results of the research findings.
Methodology:
Project activities will be provided in following steps:
- Analysis and review of existing legal provisions, regulations, standards and other publications
- Analysis of foreign foundations and experiences
- To provide a local investigation to identify nodes with traffic signals, positive results and weaknesses and evaluate, create documentation
- Develop methodological tools for operators and planners of traffic signals by specific requirement profiles for disabled and elderly people, checking to what extent the existing standards and guidelines conform to these, recognizing the need for action and for technical proposals
- Development of operational criteria for the necessary and reasonable additional equipment
- Providing of final report with foundations for the standard work
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