The Utah Department of Transportation has installed more than a thousand touchless crosswalk buttons at nearly 250 intersections. The hope is to increase pedestrian safety and accessibility using the radar-enabled buttons.
According to UDOT, they are one of the first in the nation to implement widespread use of accessible pedestrian signal (APS) technology at crosswalks.
APS technology uses two kinds of actions: movement like nodding or waving or activating an app to assist pedestrians. Once triggered, the APS alerts pedestrians through an audio feature using statements like “wait” and “walk sign is on” to keep pedestrians informed.
The department says that crosswalks with APS technology help people with varying disabilities safely cross streets. “I’m glad UDOT added the touchless crosswalk buttons,” said Kris Johnson, a wheelchair-bound Provo citizen who visits the Provo Rehabilitation Center. “It’s made crossing the street much safer for me and several other residents at the care center.”