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Soon, turning Cleveland RTA buses will be talking to pedestrians
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Karen Farkas
Plain Dealer Reporter
Pedestrians at crosswalks will soon be told to watch out for an RTA bus – a warning from the bus itself.
“Caution, bus turning, pedestrians look both ways, look both ways” is the phrase that will emanate from stereo speakers inside and outside the bus. The vocal alert system, the first in the country, will be installed in all buses by next spring, RTA officials told board members at a committee meeting Tuesday.
It is another innovative safety measure taken by the agency, which was forced to act following the deaths of two pedestrians struck in crosswalks by buses making left turns, said general manager Joe Calabrese.
Some 400 buses initially will be outfitted with the new system, which will be paid for with about $600,000 in existing federal stimulus money. Another $100,000 will be sought to put units in the fleet’s remaining 80 buses.
The voice system will be wired into the steering column on the RTA bus and is activated when the driver makes a 45-degree turn.
The volume can be adjusted so it is louder on busy Public Square and softer in residential areas.
RTA will be able to record whatever message it wants.
The vocal command will replace the beeping now heard when a turn signal on a bus is activated, even when the vehicle is changing lanes and pulling up to curbs, in addition to making turns. The beeping has been very effective, said Michael York, RTA deputy general manager of operations, but many passengers, pedestrians and homeowners complained about the noise.
“And some operators decided not to use their turn signals as often,” York said.
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority board is expected to vote next week to spend the money for the new system. Two companies submitted proposals, and the winning bid is expected to be announced when the board meets.
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