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City staff says audible crosswalks were previously discouraged; plans to include accessible signals on new projects
Summary
The city responded to complaints from the blind and low-vision community about downtown crosswalks, saying past Access Advisory Board guidance and maintenance challenges limited audible signals downtown but that new signal installations will include accessible pedestrian signals going forward.
A member of Wichita’s blind and low-vision community told the council that downtown crosswalks and curb ramps remain inaccessible and urged faster action; public-works staff said the city has coordinated with disability advocates and will include accessible pedestrian signals (APS) on all new signal projects while weighing retrofit costs for the downtown area.
Andrew Crane, representing concerns raised by the Access Advisory Board, said an Eagle article and repeated requests show downtown curb ramps and crosswalks need upgrades to serve blind and visually impaired residents. Crane urged the council to “step out of your offices and walk the city streets.”
Gary Janssen, director of Public Works and Utilities, said the city has coordinated with the Access Advisory Board, Envision, and the local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind. He said the Access Advisory Board had in the past advised against installing audible pedestrian signals in the downtown area because ambient noise and maintenance challenges made them unreliable and confusing. Janssen said the city will continue a strategic approach that prioritizes specific intersections for APS and that installation of APS will be included in all newly installed traffic signals because federal requirements are moving that way.
Janssen added that retrofitting existing downtown signals is costly and technically complex. He said the city will present more specific information to council members and that the Access Advisory Board meets monthly; he noted the board’s next meeting on April 23, 2025 at 10 a.m. at the Envision Building. Councilmembers said they had heard some residents were surprised by the pace of change and urged staff to improve community outreach.
No ordinance or funding appropriation was adopted; staff said APS will be included in the design and budget for future new signal projects and that the city will continue targeted collaboration with Envision and blindness-advocacy groups to identify priority intersections.
