Creating Safer and More Accessible Crosswalks

In partnership with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), the City is making select signaled crosswalks more accessible and safer by allowing residents to interact with push button signals from their mobile phones. This initiative will help residents with disabilities overcome the challenge of finding and pushing the physical button to cross the intersection.

“I’m excited to bring the PedApp functionality to our streets,” said Vikas Ravada, Manager of Traffic Engineering. “It helps us create safer and more accessible crosswalks, making Regina a more inclusive place to live.”  

The app, called PedApp, supports safe crossing by automatically announcing the intersection as residents approach, allowing them to push the “cross” button remotely and providing real-time updates on when it is safe to cross the street. Once it is safe, the app announces the remaining countdown time out loud to help residents cross before the signal changes. It also uses vibrations for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Residents can download the PedApp from the App Store and Google Play Store. It can be used at nine intersections on Victoria Avenue between Broad Street and Albert Street. There will be a phased approach for future expansion of this functionality at other intersections throughout the city.

For more details about this initiative, please visit Regina.ca/pedapp.