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92_HR0966
LRB9216966RHrhA
1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Due to such factors as urban sprawl, wider and
3 more dangerous streets, and greater traffic volume, it has
4 become increasingly difficult for all pedestrians, including
5 those with disabilities, to travel throughout communities
6 across Illinois; and
7 WHEREAS, Accessible Pedestrian Signals can augment the
8 use of sound judgement and defensive traveling by all
9 pedestrians, including those with disabilities, helping them
10 to cross streets more safely; and
11 WHEREAS, Accessible Pedestrians Signal technology has
12 been in use for some time in such Illinois communities as
13 Peoria, providing valuable assistance to those who choose to
14 use it to aid in crossing streets; and
15 WHEREAS, Today's Accessible Pedestrian Signal technology
16 has advanced to the point that it is no more obtrusive to
17 surrounding residents than traffic and other noises; and
18 WHEREAS, On April 27, 2001, staff from the Illinois
19 Department of Transportation expressed support for installing
20 Accessible Pedestrian Signals in discussions with members of
21 the Illinois Council of the Blind, but wanted to do so only
22 after the standards for their installation were available in
23 the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) issued
24 by the Federal Highway Administration; and
25 WHEREAS, These standards are now available, having been
26 published in the MUTCD in January 2002; and
27 WHEREAS, The cost for installing Accessible Pedestrian
28 Signals is about $4,000 per intersection; and
29 WHEREAS, 80% of the cost of these signals can be paid for
30 in areas near public transportation facilities with Federal
-2- LRB9216966RHrhA
1 dollars available pursuant to Section 1202 of the
2 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century; therefore, be
3 it
4 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
5 NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
6 the Illinois Department of Transportation is strongly urged
7 to immediately implement programs to assist communities with
8 the installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals requested
9 by their residents which comply with current standards as
10 published in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices;
11 and be it further
12 RESOLVED, That the Illinois House of Representatives
13 further urge the Illinois Department of Transportation to
14 install Accessible Pedestrian Signals at intersections under
15 its jurisdiction that are either newly constructed or
16 rehabilitated where pedestrian crossing facilities and
17 traffic signals are present; and be it further
18 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
19 presented to the Secretary of the Illinois Department of
20 Transportation.