Indiana, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is announcing a change to the pedestrian crossing activation process at intersections along State Route 8/Main Street between Penn Street and Wayne Street in the City of Butler.
Beginning June 7, pedestrians will be required to push the call buttons at intersections to signal for traffic to stop so they can cross. Call buttons, also known as pedestrian crossing buttons, are installed at traffic lights with a dedicated pedestrian signal, and are used to bring up the pedestrian "walk" indication. In the majority of locations where call buttons are installed, pushing the button does not light up the pedestrian walk sign immediately, pedestrians must wait until the "walk" indicator lights up.
The new system includes multiple Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant features. One feature is a constant audible beeping tone that alerts pedestrians with visual impairments to the location of the call button. Another is a verbal cue when the walk signal is activated and the pedestrian may begin to cross. The verbal cue will announce that the walk sign is on and the pedestrian is now able to cross the street. This feature replaces the chiming tone that was present with the previous traffic signal system. When the "walk" indicator is coming to an end, a countdown will appear and pedestrians will hear a countdown indicating that the safe time to cross is coming to an end.
The new pedestrian crossing systems are in place between Penn Street and Wayne Street as part of the PA 8/Main Street Signal Improvement Project. Bruce-Merrilees Electrical Company of New Castle, PA is completing the $2.2 million dollar project.
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