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Special traffic signals for the physically challenged in Ahmedabad Monday, April 30, 2001

Ahmedabad: To Ahmedabad goes the distinction of installing the country's first voice-enabled traffic signal to facilitate movement of the visually impaired and physically challenged persons.

The traffic signals are working at the crossing next to the Blind Men's Association (BMA) office. The location was chosen for its proximity to the BMA that is frequented by 300 to 400 sightless persons everyday, The Times of India reported here.

There is a voice warning suggesting vehicles to keep behind the stop line "as blind men are crossing the road". The mode continues for 20 seconds following that the vehicular traffic flow is restored after a warning beep lasting for five seconds. The signal will also be helpful for physically challenged people, other than visually impaired, who also come to the BMA to attend classes for different training programs offered by the institute.

The signal has a complete cycle, which can be altered with the traffic intensity to a maximum period of two minutes. After the routine signaling cycle for all the four roads at the crossing is over the signal goes red for traffic from all direction.

The project which was thought about two years back, was set up at the cost of Rs.550,000, according to BMA executive director Bhushan Purani. The project, however, was possible due to the efforts of Aarti Parishar, a volunteer in the BMA, who visualized the project.

According to traffic assistant commissioner G.S. Ahuja, it is possible to make all traffic signals user friendly for the physically challenged at the expense of just Rs.45,000.

 

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