People with disabilities – pedestrians

Home > Safer People > Road Users > People with Disabilities >

Being able to move around the community is crucial to the independence of people with disabilities.

If you need to use a wheelchair or a gopher, you are still classed as a pedestrian and have the right to use the footpath.

Transport SA provides a range of devices at traffic signals and road crossings to assist people with disabilities to cross main roads safely.

For more detailed information please refer to Pedestrian safety treatments.

• Installing audio tactile pushbuttons and tactile ground surfaces for the vision impaired
• Modifying centre median strips to allow pedestrians to wait in a safe area in the middle of the road and cross one stream of traffic at a time
• Adding ramps to kerbs for pedestrians
• Changing roads and footpaths for people in wheelchairs and gophers by: modifying traffic islands to allow access; upgrading kerb ramps; lowering pushbuttons; installing special ground surfaces or relocating services (eg telstra, gas)
• Providing more time to cross roads at traffic lights by increasing the walk time or installing microwave detectors, which can increase the time to get across the road, based on how fast you are moving.

If you have a disability and are worried about crossing a main road either at traffic signals or midblock (ie between signal sites) Transport SA aims to assist. In each case Transport SA will examine the site you are concerned about and will assess what is most helpful or appropriate.

Examples include:

• If you are vision impaired or blind, an audio tactile pushbutton, a relocated pushbutton or ground tactile surface indicator may help you. Refer to Pedestrian Safety Treatments for more information.
• If you are in a wheelchair or gopher you may be helped by a lower pedestrian pushbutton, or need to have kerbing removed to help you get onto the traffic island or reach the button. Refer to People with Disabilities – motorised wheelchairs for more information.
• If you cannot cross the whole road safely because you are in a wheelchair or are vision impaired it may be possible to install a pedestrian walkthrough, refuge or microwave detector. Refer to Pedestrian Safety Treatments for more information.

Each year Transport SA installs:

• 30-40 audio tactile pushbuttons in the metropolitan area - now at 60% of all traffic signal sites
• 10-20 pedestrian walkthroughs or pedestrian refuges
• 10-20 upgraded traffic signal sites

Disability Organisations
Transport SA works with a number of disability organisations to help people who have approached them for assistance with their independence.

These organisations include:

• Guide Dogs Association
• Royal Society of the Blind
• DACSSA Disability Advocacy and Complaints Service SA
• Bedford Industries and Phoenix Society

There are processes set in place between Transport SA and the disability organisations to address the needs of their clients.

Other Important Information
Local councils are responsible for improving footpaths and local roads. However, Transport SA works closely with them to improve footpaths, kerbs and access to traffic signal sites for people with disabilities.

Links
For enquiries contact: Metropolitan Region Transport SA 08 8226 8252
Independent Living Centre