HLS 19RS-1637 ENGROSSED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 68
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEGER
TRANSPORTATION DEPT: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and
Development to install accessible pedestrian signals at certain intersections
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to install accessible
3 pedestrian signals at certain intersections.
4 WHEREAS, accessible pedestrian signals provide audible and tactile information to
5pedestrians regarding WALK and DON'T WALK intervals at signalized intersections; and
6 WHEREAS, people who are visually impaired, blind, and deaf-blind rely on audible
7and tactile information to safely cross intersections; and
8 WHEREAS, state and local governments are required to provide equal access to
9public goods and services to people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities
10Act; and
11 WHEREAS, 52,822 adults age forty and older in Louisiana are blind or have low
12vision; and
13 WHEREAS, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma affect another 484,398
14adults age forty and older in Louisiana, a figure that represents 23.8% of Louisiana's
15population over the age of forty; and
16 WHEREAS, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, issued by the Federal
17Highway Administration of the United States Department of Transportation, defines an
18"accessible pedestrian signal" as a device designated to assist a pedestrian who has visual
19or physical disabilities in activating the pedestrian phase; and
Page 1 of 2 HLS 19RS-1637 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 68
1 WHEREAS, accessible pedestrian devices communicate information about the
2WALK and DON'T WALK intervals at signalized intersections, in nonvisual formats, to
3pedestrians who are blind or have low vision; and
4 WHEREAS, a design that is beneficial for people with visual impairments is
5beneficial for all pedestrians including seniors and tourists; and
6 WHEREAS, accessible pedestrian devices have the following benefits: (1) make it
7easier for visually impaired pedestrians to safely cross the street; (2) reduce crossings during
8the DON'T WALK phase; (3) allow more crossings in each signal interval; and (4) improve
9crossing speeds for sighted pedestrians.
10 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
11urge and request the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to adopt
12proactive policies to implement accessible pedestrian signals when new traffic signals are
13installed or existing traffic signals are altered at intersections with pedestrian signals that are
14operated by the state of Louisiana.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
16secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 68 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session Leger
Urges and requests the Dept. of Transportation and Development to install accessible
pedestrian signals at intersections with pedestrian signals that are operated by the state of La.
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