ISO 23600:2007

Overview

ISO 23600:2007 specifies requirements for acoustic and tactile signals for pedestrian traffic lights to support safe, independent mobility of persons with vision impairments and persons with vision and hearing impairments. The standard covers design, installation and operation of these assistive products (but does not address EMC, electrical safety or operating environmental conditions). Its goal is to provide unambiguous timing and directional cues-so users know when and where to start crossing.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Signal types: Acoustic orientation signals, acoustic walk-initiation signals, tactile walk-initiation signals (vibration or rotation), and tactile direction indicators.
• Activation: Automatic control, push-button or personal remote control. Push-button feedback (tactile/acoustic) must be distinct from walk-initiation signals.
• Acoustic orientation signal
  • Repetition rate: recommended 1.0 Hz (range 0.5–1.2 Hz).
  • Audible distance: typically 1 m to 5 m from source.
  • Sound-pressure level: 30–90 dB; at least 5 dB above ambient but not more than 10 dB above ambient.
• Acoustic walk-initiation signal
  • Duration: active for the entire walk-initiation period.
  • Non-ambiguous: placement, volume control, tactile cues or speech may be used to avoid confusion between adjacent crossings.
  • Frequency: multiple-frequency sounds preferred (principal frequencies 300–3 500 Hz); single-tone options 800–2 000 Hz.
  • Repetition rate: intermittent tones >2.5 Hz (for non-tones, >0.6 Hz).
  • Audible range: minimum 1 m; for directional use, each emitter should be detectable for at least two-thirds of the crosswalk length.
  • Level control: automatically adjusted by ambient sound (30–90 dB; 5–10 dB above ambient).
• Alternating (directional) signals
  • Emitters at each end send sounds back-and-forth to indicate crossing direction; audible across entire crosswalk (use median relays for long crossings).
  • Typical timing: max repetition ~1 Hz with a minimum silent interval ~0.2 s.
  • Sound level: generally 45–100 dB.
  • Installation height for sound emitters: 2.0–3.5 m; tactile devices: 0.8–1.2 m.
• Failure mode: acoustic and tactile signals must be deactivated if the traffic controller malfunctions or pedestrian signal is deactivated.

Applications

• Design and installation of accessible pedestrian signal (APS) systems
• Specification for manufacturers of assistive pedestrian signal equipment
• Guidance for traffic engineers, urban planners and accessibility consultants implementing accessible intersections
• Use in public policy, procurement and accessibility audits to ensure consistent assistive signaling

Who uses this standard

• Traffic signal manufacturers and integrators
• Municipal transport and public works authorities
• Accessibility consultants, disability organizations and mobility specialists
• Standards bodies and procurement teams

Related standards

ISO 23600 references acoustics and measurement standards such as:

• ISO 1996-1 / ISO 1996-2 (environmental noise)
• ISO 3741 / ISO 3744 / ISO 3745 (sound power measurement)
• IEC 61672-1 / -2 (sound level meters)

Keywords: ISO 23600, acoustic and tactile signals, pedestrian traffic lights, assistive products, persons with vision impairments, accessible pedestrian signals.