Post-installation checklist
Checklist
Figure 7-12. APS Post-Installation Checklist
After installation is complete, the installer should perform the following steps (detailed in sections below). A printable checklist can be found on page 7-24 (Figure 7-12).
- Evaluate and adjust the locator tone volume
- Evaluate and adjust the WALK indication volume
- Evaluate and set the sensitivity level of the automatic volume adjustment
- Confirm proper functioning of the WALK indicators
- Check height and location of pushbutton
- Check the tactile arrow
- Check optional features
- Check audible beaconing
- Recheck the functioning at a later time
Locator tone volume
Evaluate and adjust locator tone volume
- Approach intersection along sidewalk from both directions and note when the pushbutton locator tone is audible. If there are two pushbutton locator tones at the corner, each should be audible. The pushbutton locator tone should be audible when 6 to 12 feet from pushbutton, or at the building line, whichever is closer to the pushbutton.
- Approach corner from crosswalk and note when the pushbutton locator tone is audible. The pushbutton locator tone should be audible at 6 to 12 feet (or approximately one lane) from pushbutton.
- Listen through several cycles at times when traffic is noisy and at times when traffic is quiet.
- Adjust the locator tone volume as necessary.
WALK indication volume
Evaluate and adjust the volume of the WALK indication:
- Stand at the curb or end of the curb ramp at the crosswalk and listen for the WALK indication. It should be audible from the crossing location.
- Confirm that the WALK indication for each crosswalk sounds closer than the WALK indication for the perpendicular crosswalk.
- Listen through several cycles at times when traffic is noisy and at times when traffic is quiet.
- Adjust the WALK indication volume as necessary.
Automatic volume adjustment
Evaluate and set the sensitivity level of the automatic volume adjustment:
- If volumes are adequate in quiet conditions, but do not increase enough or quickly enough when ambient noise increases, the microphone sensitivity, or automatic gain control, may need to be increased.
- Increase the microphone sensitivity in 10–20% steps until the response is as desired.
- It might be necessary to readjust the volume of the locator tone and WALK indications after the microphone is adjusted.
Confirm proper functioning of the WALK indication
Determine if the vibrating surface, speech messages or other features of the WALK indication work properly:
- Press the button and wait for the WALK indication. The tactile arrow or vibrating surface should vibrate rapidly only during the WALK.
- The WALK indication (tone or speech message) should sound for the duration of the WALK interval, unless there is a special setting due to a "rest-in-WALK" situation.
- If the WALK indication is a speech message, confirm that it refers to the correct street and is appropriately worded and understandable.
Check height and location of the pushbutton
Confirm that pushbutton height and location conform to specifications and can be reached by a person in a wheelchair, from a level landing.
Check tactile arrow
Examine the tactile arrow.
- Check that it is aligned in the direction of travel on the crosswalk.
- Confirm that it points to the street that is controlled by that pushbutton.
Check optional features
Confirm that optional features, if ordered, are present and functioning correctly.
- Confirm that Braille dots are raised to the touch, not depressed. If possible, request that a person who reads Braille confirm that it is the correct label.
- Press the pushbutton for an extended button press and see if the pushbutton information message plays and accurately identifies the crossing controlled by the pushbutton, and that other information, if provided, is accurate.
- Confirm that a tactile map accurately represents the crossing features.
Check audible beaconing
If the intersection requires audible beaconing,
- Press the pushbutton for an extended button press and confirm that the sound is boosted during the following pedestrian phase for the WALK tone and for the locator tone.
- Walk across the street during the pedestrian phase and evaluate placement and aim of devices to provide sound in the crosswalk area.
Re-check device functioning at a later time
Follow-up during the first few weeks after installation, checking device and volume at different times of day to assure proper functioning.
Designate a person and phone number to call and report malfunctioning devices. Share that information with agencies serving individuals who are blind and organizations of individuals who are blind in the community.
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