Extension of 24/7 On-demand Audible Traffic Signals to More Town Centres
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Ong Hua Han’s inquiry regarding the expansion of 24/7 on-demand audible traffic signals, related noise complaints, and the integration of third-party applications for persons with visual impairments (PwVIs). Minister Chee Hong Tat responded that LTA will equip 325 crossings across 10 town centres with 24/7 signals by 2025, with 62 already completed as part of the Enabling Masterplan 2030. He noted that an average of eight pieces of feedback on noise disamenity are received annually and managed through volume adjustments, as 1,300 existing signals currently operate only between 7.00 am and 9.00 pm. LTA and the Ministry of Social and Family Development will monitor these features to determine if further implementation is necessary beyond the initial 325 identified crossings. Finally, Minister Chee Hong Tat confirmed that LTA is studying the technological feasibility of integrating traffic signals with third-party applications to further assist PwVI mobility.
Transcript
29 Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether LTA intends to activate 24/7 on-demand audible traffic signals beyond the 325 pedestrian crossings identified at 10 town centres; (b) how many noise disamenity complaints has LTA received from residents living in close proximity to audible traffic signals; and (c) whether LTA has considered integrating traffic signals with third party applications to enable persons with visual impairment (PwVIs) to safely cross roads.
Mr Chee Hong Tat (for the Minister for Transport): Since 2004, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has implemented audible traffic signals to assist Persons with Visual Impairments (PwVIs) to navigate and commute independently. Presently, 1,300 pedestrian crossings are equipped with audible traffic signals that operate from 7.00 am to 9.00 pm. It does not operate in the late-night hours to reduce noise disamenity to nearby residents. Over the last five years, LTA received, on average, eight feedback a year on noise disamenity due to audible traffic signals. These were resolved by reducing the volume of the audio devices.
As part of the Enabling Masterplan 2030 to further enhance the mobility of PwVIs, LTA announced in April this year that 325 pedestrian crossings across 10 town centres will be installed with 24/7 on-demand audible traffic signals by 2025. To-date, the installation has been completed at 62 pedestrian crossings in towns, such as Bedok, Tampines and Jurong West. LTA is on track to complete installation at the remaining pedestrian crossings by 2025. LTA, together with the Ministry of Social and Family Development, will monitor the usefulness of the feature and assess whether to implement more of them.
LTA is also studying the technological feasibility of integrating traffic signals with third party applications to enhance the mobility of PwVIs.