SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

Third Regular Session )
. -4 M053
SENATE 18 JUL -4 AID
s.no,_1861

RECE. De

P

Introduced by SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA

AN ACT
REQUIRING TRAFFIC SIGNAL POLES TO BE EQUIPPED WITH
ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article 13, Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution recognizes the need for
rehabilitation, self-development, self-reliance and integration of persons with
disabilities into the mainstream of society. Batas Pambansa Blg. 344, or the
Accessibility Law, required the installation of architectural facilities or structural
features to enhance the mobility of disabled persons in certain buildings, institutions,
establishments, and public utilities.

In an ideal world, people who are blind or visually impaired would be able to
rely on traffic lights at every intersection they cross. That is not the world we live in
today. Without sufficient visual information, they merely rely on the sound or sense of
traffic to identify a time when traffic has stopped and crossing the street is possible.
The Canadian National Institute of the Blind posits that this technique is not without
risks such as: when traffic volumes are low and there are fewer cues to use; when an
advanced green signal display allows cars to turn left or right, a pedestrian can
mistakenly assume that the surge of traffic is a signal to walk; or when relying on the
surge of traffic as a crossing cue, the pedestrian may take several seconds to begin
crossing and not have time to complete the crossing before the light has changed.
Although traffic sounds and vibrations can help a pedestrian safely cross a street, there

* The Canadian National Institute For the Blind. “CNIB Position for Accessible Pedestrian Signals in Canada”. 15
October 2003. Accessed from www.cnib.ca/en/about/who/believe/documents/cnib%20APS%20position.doc.
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are many intersections where this type of information is insufficient to assure a
pedestrian who is blind or visually impaired a safe journey.

Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) are designed to assist these pedestrians so
that they can navigate intersections with increased confidence. They provide
pedestrians with reliable information that they can use to know when traffic signals
have required traffic to stop and have cleared the way for pedestrians to cross.

With over two million Filipinos who are blind or suffering from poor vision, the
installation of APS in most, and ideally in all, traffic signal posts shall aid them in being
independently mobile and ensure a safe journey for everyone.

In view of the foregoing, early enactment of this measure is requested.

fertadsta
LEILA M. DE LIMA



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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session )

SENATE
s.no. 1861 ECE.

Introduced by SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA

AN ACT
REQUIRING TRAFFIC SIGNAL POLES TO BE EQUIPPED WITH
ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “Accessible Pedestrian
Signals Act of 2018.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ Persons with disabilities are part of Philippine
society, thus, the State shall give full support to the improvement of their total well-
being and integration into the mainstream of society. Toward this end, the State shall
adopt policies ensuring the self-reliance of this vulnerable segment of our population.

Sec, 3. Accessible Pedestrian Signal. Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) is
defined as a device affixed to traffic signal poles that communicates information
about the “WALK” and “DON'T WALK’ intervals at signalized intersections in non-
visual formats such as audible, tactile, vibrotactile and other visible methods in order
to provide crossing information to all pedestrians, including people who are blind or
visually impaired.

When an APS uses audible tones, it shall have a specific tone for the walk
interval and clearance phases utilizing internationally recognized standards.

Two distinct sounds shall be used for the WALK phase: one distinct sound for
the North/South crossing and another distinct sound for the East/West crossing. In
addition, there shall be a distinct sound for the North/South clearance phase and
another distinct sound for the East/West clearance phase. The tones shall be at least

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two (2) decibels and no more five (5) decibels greater than the ambient noise level,
must be sensitive to level changes, and must be audible to the mid-point of the
crossings.

Sec. 4. Installation of APS. — Subsequent to the effectivity of this Act, all new
traffic signal poles that have yet to be installed shall be equipped with an APS. For
existing traffic signal poles, an APS shall be installed in order of priority following a
criteria set by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which shall
give preference to locations most populated by Persons with Disabilities.

See. 5. Duty-free Importation. — The DPWH shall certify APS devices and
parts that are unavailable in domestic markets and shall transmit such certification
to the Department of Finance. The APS devices and parts so certified may be imported
by any government agency or instrumentality exempt from taxes and duties on
importation.

Sec. 6. Implementing Rules. - Within ninety (90) days from the approval of
this Act, the DPWH, in coordination with the Department of Transportation, the
Department of Budget and Management, the Department of Finance, and the
National Council on Disability Affairs shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
presidential proclamations, letters of instruction, rules and regulations or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in
the Philippines.

Approved,