Articles
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PROWAG final rule published: New accessibility standards coming to public streets
After more than two decades of hard work by the US Access Board, disability advocates, and members of the public, the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG) were published today as a final rule in the Federal Register. They will take effect September 7, and will become enforceable once they are adopted by the US Department of […]
August 8, 2023 -
SS4A for Accessible Pedestrian Signals
An historic 7,485 pedestrians were killed while walking in the U.S. in 2021, according to data collected by the Governors Highway Safety Association. These deaths are both tragic and preventable: changes to roadway design and safety treatments, including accessibility improvements, are proven to reduce pedestrian deaths and serious injuries. >>>Download the Guide – Polara SS4A […]
April 5, 2023 -
Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) Features
APS technology is constantly improving and new features are being added to help pedestrians with vision and hearing loss get around safely and confidently. Here are some of the main features you should be aware of. Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) have come a long way since the first cuckoo-chirp, pedhead-mounted systems appeared in U.S. […]
February 25, 2023 -
What is an Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS)?
APS provide essential information and safety to pedestrians with disabilities by alerting them to the status of the walk cycle via auditory, visual, and tactile cues.
February 24, 2023
Guides & Accessibility Requirements
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PROWAG Crosswalk Requirements
PROWAG is a set of technical specifications developed by the U.S. Access Board to help transportation professionals create accessible routes along public streets. It mandates APS anywhere a pedestrian signal is provided, and is widely expected to become an enforceable standard in 2023.
August 14, 2023 -
APS Audible Beaconing
Audible beaconing is the use of directional sound to guide pedestrians with vision loss, so they can more easily follow the marked crossing across the street. Polara’s iNS Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) support adding external speakers to the pedestrian signal head to provide audible beaconing, which can significantly assist pedestrians with vision impairments to follow the crosswalk at complex, skewed, or especially wide crossings.
April 26, 2023 -
ADA Crosswalk Accessibility Requirements
The ADA is a broad civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all aspects of everyday life. While it doesn’t offer standards or guidance on APS specifically, it does require agencies to make public facilities, including the pedestrian environment, accessible.
February 27, 2023 -
MUTCD Crosswalk Accessibility Requirements
The MUTCD is a document published by the FHWA that is used by transportation professionals in the U.S. to install and maintain traffic control devices on public roadways. It does not mandate the use of APS, but does provide scoping and technical guidelines for when they are used.
February 27, 2023
Case Studies
Company Updates
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Polara announces new Western Regional Sales Manager
It is with great pleasure we announce that Chris McLaughlin joins us today as our Western Regional Sales manager. Please join us in welcoming him to the team!
March 20, 2023 -
Polara Partners with Vance Street Capital
Polara has just partnered with an outstanding and very successful private equity firm called Vance Street Capital. Polara has tremendous growth opportunities ahead of us. This partnership with Vance Street Capital will provide us with their expert advice and capital to allow us to invest in and improve existing processes and accelerate new product development. […]
December 6, 2021 -
Polara launches PEDAPP®
Polara launches PEDAPP®, a mobile application that acts as a free pedestrian smartphone crossing supplement and a touchless button actuation feature. This app can be used in tandem with the iNS Accessible Pedestrian Signal. Below are the features provided: Allows Visually Impaired and all Pedestrians to actuate button from phone via Bluetooth® wireless technology Available […]
December 20, 2020 -
Polara announces New Eastern Regional Sales Manager
It is with great pleasure, we announce the addition to our Sales Force, Chris Holloway – Eastern Regional Sales Manager. Chris starts with Polara on Monday, May 18, 2020. Feel free to welcome Chris to the team. Eastern Region Sales Manager Polara Enterprises (404) 307-4906, cholloway@polaraent.com Chris Holloway is a traffic industry veteran who has served […]
May 18, 2020