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II - <br /> I - <br /> City Manager's Office <br /> Human Rights Program <br /> City of Eugene <br /> 833 Willamette <br /> ~ ~ Eugene, Oregon 97401 <br /> 'i Medla Release (541)682-5177 <br /> (541) 682-5221 FAX <br /> www.eugene-or.gov/hrc <br /> I,~ eptember 20, 2007 <br /> ONTACT: Karen Hyatt, Human Rights Program Staff, (541) 682-5619 <br /> Steve Gallup, APS Project Manager, (541) 682-4960 <br /> -PAGE RELEASE <br /> ~'i OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> Accessible Pedestrian Signals Now Available At 32 Eugene Intersections <br /> ~I Crossing the street at signalized intersections is getting safer as more and more crossings are <br /> quipped with accessible pedestrian signals (APS). Right now, work is wrapping up on a $250,000 <br /> roject to upgrade 25 intersections with APS, bringing the total number of local APS intersections to 32. <br /> Accessible pedestrian signals provide audible and tactile cues to assist pedestrians, especially <br /> hose with visual disabilities, in making safer decisions when using intersection crosswalks. APS emit a <br /> ontinuous beeping locator tone that helps users find the button that activates the walk signal. When the <br /> <br /> ~Ilrr alk signal is on, a recorded voice tells the user that the walk light is on and then a backwards <br /> ountdown alerts the user to how many more seconds the walk light will remain on. <br /> The first accessible pedestrian signal in Eugene was installed in 2004 at 26`h Avenue and Hilyard <br /> treet. In February 2006, the Public Works Department implemented a policy that requires APS to be <br /> ncluded at all newly installed traffic signals with walk sign push buttons that activate the walk signal <br /> ycle. The current project began in June with EC Co. of Albany as the general contractor. Funding <br /> ncluded $60,Oa0 from Community Development Block Grants and $190,000 from the General Fund. <br /> he project was managed by the Eugene Public Works Department in cooperation with the Human <br /> fights Program. <br /> There are still 120 signalized intersections in Eugene that are eligible for APS equipment that do <br /> of have APS installed. To address that need, the City has made an ongoing commitment to spend at <br /> ~ east $65,000 each fiscal year on APS installations. The City of Eugene Human Rights Commission <br /> ccessibility Co'~mmittee prioritizes the need for APS at eligible intersections. Community members may <br /> equest APS at specific intersections by calling 682-5177 or sending email to hrc(p~ci.eugene.or.us. <br /> (more) <br /> i <br /> I <br /> <br />