ENROLLED
2019 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 68
BY REPRESENTATIVE LEGER
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to install accessible
pedestrian signals at certain intersections.
WHEREAS, accessible pedestrian signals provide audible and tactile information to
pedestrians regarding WALK and DON'T WALK intervals at signalized intersections; and
WHEREAS, people who are visually impaired, blind, and deaf-blind rely on audible
and tactile information to safely cross intersections; and
WHEREAS, state and local governments are required to provide equal access to
public goods and services to people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities
Act; and
WHEREAS, 52,822 adults age forty and older in Louisiana are blind or have low
vision; and
WHEREAS, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma affect another 484,398
adults age forty and older in Louisiana, a figure that represents 23.8% of Louisiana's
population over the age of forty; and
WHEREAS, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, issued by the Federal
Highway Administration of the United States Department of Transportation, defines an
"accessible pedestrian signal" as a device designated to assist a pedestrian who has visual
or physical disabilities in activating the pedestrian phase; and
WHEREAS, accessible pedestrian devices communicate information about the
WALK and DON'T WALK intervals at signalized intersections, in nonvisual formats, to
pedestrians who are blind or have low vision; and
WHEREAS, a design that is beneficial for people with visual impairments is
beneficial for all pedestrians including seniors and tourists; and
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WHEREAS, accessible pedestrian devices have the following benefits: (1) make it
easier for visually impaired pedestrians to safely cross the street; (2) reduce crossings during
the DON'T WALK phase; (3) allow more crossings in each signal interval; and (4) improve
crossing speeds for sighted pedestrians.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to adopt
proactive policies to implement accessible pedestrian signals when new traffic signals are
installed or existing traffic signals are altered at intersections with pedestrian signals that are
operated by the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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