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~ <br /> July 13, 200 <br /> CONTACT: Tom Larsen, City Traffic Engineer, 682-4959 <br /> From Public Information Section, 682-5523 or 954-2938 <br /> FOR IMME IATE RELEASE <br /> NOTE TO SIGNMENT EDITORS: Tom Larsen and Heidi Von Ravensberg will be <br /> available f interviews at 27"' and Hilyard at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 13. <br /> Eugene's First Audible Pedestrian Signal To Be Installed Today <br /> Eug ne's first audible pedestrian signal is scheduled to be installed Tuesday, July 13, at <br /> the intersec ion of 27th Avenue and Hilyard Street. <br /> The udible signal produces a beep and chirp to alert people with visual impairment <br /> where the p destrian push button is and when it's safe to cross the street. The signals are in <br /> wide use th ughout the United States; more than 150 have been installed in the Portland area. <br /> <br /> I <br /> The ugene Public Works Department chose to install the first audible signal at the <br /> crosswalk j st east of Amazon Community Center at the urging of the City's Human Rights <br /> Commissio ,said Traffic Engineer Tom Larsen. "Accessible signals are the latest improvements <br /> in traffic co rol. In recent outreach by the Human Rights Commission, this site had been <br /> identified a meeting the greatest community need." <br /> "Th addition of this audible signal to this pedestrian crossing greatly increases my <br /> ability to cr s this unusual intersection safety," said Heidi Von <br /> Ravensber , a community member who is visually impaired and initially requested <br /> the accessi le pedestrian signal at this location. "Accessible pedestrian signals greatly increase <br /> my indepen ence and ability to get around town with safety and confidence." <br /> If th audible signals at 27th and Hilyard perform well and are accepted by pedestrians <br /> and neighb rs, the City will look for other locations where people with visual impairments would <br /> most benefi from them. Factors typically considered in determining where to place the devices <br /> include req ests for accessible pedestrian signals, traffic volumes during times when <br /> pedestrians might be present and the complexity of traffic signal phasing. <br /> Total cost of installing the units is approximately $2,500. Funding for the pilot project <br /> came from ugene's road fund. For more information, call 682-4959. <br /> i <br /> Publi Works • Administration • City of Eugene • 858 Pearl Street • Eugene, OR 97401 <br /> Phone: (541) 682-5262 • FAX: (541) 682-6826 • www.ci.eugene.or.us <br /> <br />