Minnesota Department of Transportation

511 Travel Info

Accessible Pedestrian Signals

Increasing safety for pedestrians with visual and hearing impairments

A vision-impaired citizen navigates a crosswalk.

What are Accessible Pedestrian Signals?

image of man next to accessible pedestrian signal
A man stands near an Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS).

Accessible pedestrian signals provide directions in alternative formats such as:

  • Verbal messages
  • Audible tones
  • Vibrating surfaces

They also provide pedestrians with information about:

  • Existence and location of the pushbutton
  • Beginning of the "WALK" interval
  • Direction of the crosswalk

Audible signals

Audible signals can be heard six to twelve feet from the pushbutton. Volumes become louder or softer in response to level of traffic noise. Audible signals provide information using:

  • Repeating tone indicating location of pushbutton
  • Tone, click or spoken "WAIT" indicating button was pushed
  • Tone or spoken “WALK” message providing name of street to be crossed

Tactile signals

Tactile signals are located at the pushbutton. Tactile signals provide information using:

  • Raised arrow pointing in direction of travel and vibrating during the “WALK” signal
  • Braille symbols providing name of street