Audible Pedestrian Signals OK'd by Committee

Following the request of a visually impaired resident — who also reached out to the Montgomery County Association for the Blind — the Abington Public Works Committee on Monday night OK’d the installation of audible pedestrian signals at two intersections.

The signals would be placed at the corners of Susquehanna and Bradfield roads; and also at the corner of Easton and Susquehanna roads.

Public works director Ed Micciolo said there are actually three visually impaired residents who live near these intersections; one of the residents has recently become blind. The installation of these signals would make it easier for these residents to go shopping and access the cemetery.

The audible walk indication can vary from speech messages to bird sounds, according to the Montgomery County Association for the Blind.

The signals would cost about $10,800, which would come out of the township’s fund balance. Micciolo said there is insufficient funding in the current budget, as the items were not anticipated; he added that he doesn’t want to postpone the installation of the signals until next year.

The intersection at Bradfield and Susquehanna roads does not currently have any pedestrian signals (like the hand/man).

From the letter written by the visually impaired resident to Micciolo:

“I cannot tell when the light is green. Another problem is the amount of vehicles turning into my path as I am crossing … Vehicles seldom yield to pedestrians and not even ones with a white cane."