【Kaohsiung News】To enhance the urban barrier-free traffic environment and improve walking safety for persons with visual impairments, the Transportation Bureau has recently completed the installation of Audible Pedestrian Signals for Persons with Visual Impairments at four intersections surrounding National Kaohsiung Normal University. The locations include the intersections of Heping/Wufu, Heping/Tongcing, Heping/National Kaohsiung Normal University Main Entrance, and Heping/Linde.
The Transportation Bureau stated that the four newly installed intersections represent the City’s first corridor-wide application of a proactive broadcasting system, which differs from traditional push-button-activated audible signals. Under this design, the system automatically emits audible cues during the pedestrian-crossing phase, enabling persons with visual impairments to receive directional guidance without the need to physically activate a device. In addition, the system allows for time-based volume adjustment, increasing sound levels during daytime peak-noise periods and automatically lowering the volume at night to balance pedestrian safety with the living environment of nearby residents.
This installation adopts wireless pedestrian signal transmission modules, effectively preventing the need for conventional road excavation or additional pole installation. Notably, the intersections at Heping/Tongcing and Heping/Linde are the first in the City to introduce a “cricket-chirp” audible tone for the pedestrian-exclusive phase. This provides an alternative to existing audible cues such as the cuckoo sound (indicating north-south crossings) and bird-chirping sound (indicating east-west crossings), offering clearer orientation and enhancing crossing safety and convenience for persons with visual impairments.
The Transportation Bureau noted that this installation corridor is adjacent to key facilities including MRT stations, the Cultural Center, Wufu Junior High School, and National Kaohsiung Normal University. Priority installation locations were determined in coordination with local organizations for persons with visual impairments and the City Government’s Committee for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the final sites were selected following thorough consultation with local stakeholders. The Bureau expressed appreciation for the support and recommendations provided by all participating parties. Moving forward, the Bureau will continue gathering public feedback, reviewing installation criteria, and progressively expanding the deployment of Audible Pedestrian Signals for Persons with Visual Impairments, advancing toward a safer and more inclusive traffic environment.
