Pushbutton information message

Description

A pushbutton information message is a recorded message that provides the name of the street and intersection with which that pushbutton is associated. It can also provide other information about the intersection signalization or geometry.

Manufacturers refer to this feature by different names, including:

Additional information

The pushbutton information message is provided from a speaker located at the pushbutton, during the flashing and steady DONT WALK intervals only. The message is intended to be audible when standing at the pushbutton location. Pedestrians are required to press the pushbutton for more than one second (see extended button press) to access the additional verbal message.

The pushbutton information message, in conjunction with the tactile arrow, can clarify street names and the crosswalk controlled and signaled by the device. This is particularly important if speech WALK messages are used. To be effective, the pushbutton information message must indicate which street is actuated by the pushbutton, and the arrow must point in the direction of travel on the described crosswalk.

A message that includes only the intersection street names, without clarifying which street is actuated by the pushbutton, provides ambiguous information. See recommendations, below, for pushbutton message wording.

MUTCD requires pushbutton information messages to begin with the word “Wait”.(2009, Section 4E.13, P10), followed by the intersection identification message and any geometric or signalization information that is provided. The MUTCD also provides guidance stating that speech pushbutton information messages should not be used to provide landmark information or to inform pedestrians with visual disabilities about detours or temporary traffic control situations.

A combination of information formats, raised characters, Braille, and audible information, will accommodate the most users.

Message wording

Pushbutton information messages should be developed according to the following models (Bentzen et al. 2002). As noted above, the MUTCD requires pushbutton information messages to begin with the word “wait”. See additional information in Appendix C.

Use "Street," "Avenue," etc., where needed, to avoid ambiguity.

Keep the word order illustrated in the above model messages.

Some model messages have complete sentences for best comprehension.

When to use

Pushbutton information messages are necessary where speech WALK messages are used. If pedestrians do not know the name of the street they are crossing, the speech WALK message does not clarify which street is being signaled.

A pushbutton information message can be helpful in providing location information on demand to pedestrians who are blind or who have low vision.

References

The MUTCD standards and guidance regarding pushbutton information messages is Section 4E.13, P9 - 12.

Section 4E.12, P2 requires an extended pushbutton press to actuate additional features such as the pushbutton information message.

An APS pushbutton should not be used for landmark information or to inform pedestrians with visual impairments about detours or temporary traffic control, according to recent research (Bentzen et al. 2002).

How used by pedestrians who are blind or who have low vision

Pedestrians who are unfamiliar with an intersection, or who wish to confirm their location, will:

At a location with two pushbuttons on the same pole and speech WALK messages, it is particularly important that users understand and recognize the street name.

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