Recommended Practice
Until such time that further rules or regulations are provided
by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), FHWA, U.S. Department
of Justice (USDOJ), the U.S. Access Board, the Texas Department
of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the American Association of
State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO), or others, the
installation of APS will be in accordance with the guidance that
follows. This recommended practice is subject to change and will
be updated as needed. Additionally, the Intersection Prioritization
Tool Worksheets (See Appendix C) based on National Cooperative Highway
Research Program (NCHRP) Project 3-62 should be utilized to evaluate
signalized intersections for the need of APS based on comparative
need. Priority to install APS systems will also depend on whether
the signalized intersection is considered to be part of new construction,
part of a modification project, or an existing installation as defined
below.
- New Construction -New construction of traffic signals is considered either the installation of a new traffic signal at a previously non-signalized intersection or substantial replacement of a traffic signal. If pedestrian signals are installed, the traffic signal shall be designed and equipped with APS for all crosswalks that are to be equipped with pedestrian signals. Installation of APS will not be considered at intersection approaches where an engineering study has determined that pedestrian signals are to be prohibited. However, the designer should take into consideration that a non-visual format to prohibit pedestrian crossing (some sort of physical means of prohibiting the crossing such as railing, heavy vegetation, etc.) should be provided in addition to crossing prohibition signs.
- Traffic Signal Modifications -Traffic Signal Modifications are considered to be the modification of an existing traffic signal at an intersection. If there are existing pedestrian signals, or pedestrian signals are being added as part of the installation, the design shall include the installation of APS. Installation of APS will not be considered where pedestrian crossings are physically prohibited. Minor signal modifications, such as installation of left-turn signal heads, modification of existing signal phasing, or installation of vehicle detection systems that do not require substantial reworking of the intersection signal poles or wiring would not require a redesign of the intersection as mentioned above. The PROWAG states that existing pedestrian signals shall comply with APS requirements “when the signal controller and software are altered, or the signal head is replaced.”
- Existing Traffic Signals -TxDOT districts will schedule an evaluation of all existing signalized crosswalks at signalized intersections under their jurisdiction. Evaluations will include completion of the Intersection Prioritization Tool worksheet. Crosswalks should be evaluated to determine a priority for the installation of APS. The scores should be arranged in order from the highest to the lowest. Crosswalks with scores in the top 50 percent and associated with a specific request should be considered high priority. Districts shall develop a plan for installation of APS at all intersections with existing pedestrian signals based on the order established by the determined priority. Additionally, evaluations will be made when there is a written request for a specific intersection(s). Evaluations that result in a high priority or are associated with a specific request should be scheduled to have APS installed. At the completion of the high priority or specific request projects, the district should review the plan and move toward completing all APS installation.
- Engineering Judgment -Based on the engineer’s judgment, a higher priority may be given to the installation of APS at a crosswalk than an initial evaluation of the crosswalk would indicate.