By: Follow South Jersey Staff
ABSECON ISLAND, N.J. — The county has made crossing the street at intersections along County Route 629/Ventnor Avenue from Longport to Atlantic City safer and easier for residents and visitors because of new accessible pedestrian traffic signals.
The new traffic signals use detection devices, such as cameras and pedestrian push buttons, to adjust the signal timing for the safe and efficient flow of traffic. This also helps to reduce traffic delays, fuel consumption and emissions.
“While state accessibility guidelines require this push button equipment when new pedestrian signals are installed, the general public may not be aware of how the equipment should work,” County Executive Dennis Levinson said in a press release from the county.
Twenty-eight traffic signals in Longport, Margate, Ventnor, and Atlantic City, are being upgraded as part of Atlantic County’s $11 million pedestrian and traffic signal improvement project. All but seven intersection signals have been upgraded and they will be completed after Labor Day.
An accessible pedestrian signal with pedestrian push button is an integrated device that communicates information about the WALK and DON’T WALK intervals at signalized intersections to pedestrians who are blind or have low vision. The pedestrian push button has a locator tone for detecting the device and a tactile arrow to indicate which pedestrian street crossing is served by the device.
According to Levinson, the new signals require the pedestrian to push the button once to activate the WALK signal and adjust the timing of the signal to allow enough time to safely cross the street.
“Pedestrians who are used to signals that indicate it is safe to walk each time the light turns green may initially find the new push button signals confusing,” Levinson said. “But once they realize they must push the button to activate the WALK signal, they should be fine. This equipment is designed to enhance the safety of motorists and pedestrians on our roadways. Like so many changes, they can take some time to get used to, but in the end, they are for our benefit.”
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