Access For Sight Impaired ConsumersAccess For Sight Impaired ConsumersPolara Engineering's “Navigator II” is an accessible pedestrian signal (APS) device which provides equal access to crossing information, enhanced independence, heightened confidence, orientation and safety to all pedestrians, particularly those who are blind, sight impaired or deafblind. It provides additional crossing information that has, in the past, been denied pedestrians who live with a vision loss. It embraces pedestrians who are deafblind and, because of its many features, serves to enhance the safety of ambulatory pedestrians as well as those with other disabilities.
The Navigator II is capable of providing extremely detailed crossing information through its variety of functions, even at the most complex intersections, regardless of traffic patterns. It has been described by pedestrians with vision loss as providing nearly as much information as that available to any sighted pedestrian. It accomplishes this through a series of indication tones and voice messages, which can announce street names, pedestrian clearance phase information, crossing anomaly messages and more - all of which can be delivered in one of three (optional) languages selected by the pedestrian. It has been designed with extensive input from consumer groups, O&M specialists, traffic engineers and individuals who are blind, sight impaired or deafblind to ensure everybody's needs were addressed. Since its introduction in November 1999, installations of the Navigator II APS device continue to increase across Canada and the United States.
Audible pedestrian signals have historically provided a single piece of information. They delivered one of two audible tones; a cuckoo tone and a chirp tone, to indicate when it was legal to enter the crosswalk. The Navigator II represents the latest generation in pedestrian technology, referred to as an accessible pedestrian signal. It introduces pedestrians with vision loss to a much-needed locator tone (set at 2 second intervals) so they can find the activation button with confidence and dignity. It also addresses the needs of a broader spectrum of the sight-impaired community by providing a vibro-tactile indicator for not just the pedestrian who is deafblind but also seniors experiencing age-related challenges. Additional features include voice messaging which is capable of announcing the names of the intersecting streets and any complexities of the crossing (i.e. center medians, railroad tracks or angled crossings). Unique to this device is the delivery of an indication tone or verbal message, which alerts pedestrians the signal has entered the “pedestrian clearance” phase. The Navigator II can deliver this information through its innovative verbal countdown message, which also can provide such information to the pedestrian in one of three selected languages.
While having the ability to respond automatically to ambient street noises by adjusting its output volumes accordingly, the Navigator II provides an industry first by enabling a pedestrian to control certain features to accommodate personal needs for a single crossing. This would include slightly higher output volumes of the audible tones/messages for a single crossing or the ability to mute the audible tone for any parallel crossing (to eliminate possible confusion). And, perhaps most unique is the Navigator II’s ability to deliver a specific voice message to clear an intersection quickly when emergency vehicles are approaching. We invite you to review the recommended settings, tones and messages to to ensure uniform, consistent APS device performance that would subsequently support consumer understanding.
The unique design of the Navigator II eliminates the need for a pole-mounted speaker, which floods the pedestrian crossing and adjacent residences or businesses with audible crossing information. As a result, this device is environmentally friendly, significantly reducing citizen complaints about unnecessary noise pollution. This is achieved by designing the speakers into the pushbutton assembly which is mounted at the pedestrian level. This product is a leader within the APS industry and sets a benchmark for all other manufacturers. It provides pedestrians with vision loss with equal access to information that is required to negotiate busy street crossings.
Additional information is available when you visit www.polara.com. When visiting Polara Engineering's site, be sure to familiarize yourself with the Model X pushbutton station. This unique cousin of the Navigator II is the first of its kind which will enable pedestrians with a vision loss to access and be able to make use of "special crosswalks" equipped with pedestrian-activated amber flashing signals or the in-pavement illuminated pedestrian crossings.