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Glossary
 
Receiver-based APS
Image of a Remote infrared audible sign receiver
Remote infrared audible sign receiver
Prevalence
Installed for street crossing use at a few experimental locations in the US.

Remote infrared audible signage (RIAS) system is being installed extensively in Japan

Function
A receiver-based system provides information to a receiver carried by the user. Users scan with receivers for pedestrian signal information as they approach the street and after they stop at the street edge. When receivers are oriented in the direction of pedestrian signals, a prerecorded message that corresponds to the status of the signal is received.

Two types of receiver-based systems exist:
  • Remote infrared audible signs (RIAS)
  • Light emitting diode (LED)
Receiver-based systems:
  • Provide clear unambiguous information and directional guidance at atypical intersections where there are more than four crosswalks, and when direct signals, such as tones, may overlap and therefore be unclear or misleading.
  • Information is only available to individuals who have the receivers; not audible to others
WALK indication
A speech WALK message or vibration is provided to the handheld receiver to indicate the Walk interval.

Vibration message has not been standardized.

WALK indication is only received when standing within the limits of the crosswalk at the intersection.
  • RIAS: users can pick up a repeating message stating the name of the street and the status of the cycle. For example, " WAIT — Grove Street," or " WALK sign — Grove Street."
  • LED signals: provide WALK or WAIT message only.
Vibrotactile information
Receiver-based systems can be adapted for vibrotactile use by deaf-blind pedestrians.

Locator tone
No locator tone

Installation
For RIAS, transmitters are located in or on top of the pedhead housing.

LED systems respond to a particular brand of LED pedhead, in which the specially equipped receiver detects the pulsing of the LED indication.

Installation examples
The pulsing of the LEDS in the pedhead activates a speech message in a handheld receiver. Pedhead-mounted APS units transmit speech messages to a handheld receiver.
The pulsing of the LEDS in the pedhead activates a speech message in a handheld receiver. Pedhead-mounted APS units transmit speech messages to a handheld receiver.

Tone volume
Located on the handheld receiver or headset, adjustable by user

Options
Additional options RIAS can provide:
  • Orientation messages - As users approach an intersection, they pick up a message that includes the name of the street on which they are traveling, the direction of travel, the block they are on, and the name of the intersecting street they are approaching.
  • Information about intersection signalization and geometry, and information about nearby landmarks such as public buildings and transit stops.
  • Information for other tasks such as identifying bus stops, identifying public restrooms, identification and wayfinding in public buildings, wayfinding in transit stations, and real-time bus arrival information.
  • May be engineered for output in other languages.
For LED systems, message content is limited to the pre-recorded messages or vibration signals set in the receiver. Receivers are dedicated to pedestrian signal information.

Limitations
Receiver-based APS systems do not benefit other pedestrians. Such systems require users to obtain, carry, maintain and use receivers; this raises issues of distribution and maintenance, as well as concerns relating to availability to non-residents.

No locator tone.

Recommendations
PROWAAC does not recommend that travelers "be required to carry a single, function-specific receiver in order to access intersection information" (X02.5.2.3 discussion). The best use of a receiver-based system at this time is to supplement APS having directly audible and vibrotactile information.

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