Dive Brief:
- Chicago has “accomplished its primary goal” in complying with the court-ordered installation of accessible pedestrian signals for blind and low-vision pedestrians, an independent monitor found, but none of the inspected intersections were fully compliant with technical APS requirements.
- The court-ordered independent monitor documented APS installation at 78 intersections, eight more than required in the first year. It also recommended further improvements, including stronger documentation, clearer public reporting, additional training for city staff and contractors, prompt correction of deficiencies and continued coordination for technical compliance.
- Chicago is demonstrating the value of cities and transportation departments collaborating with the blind community to troubleshoot challenges, address complex installation questions and help identify and resolve issues, Rachel Weisberg, directing attorney at Disability Rights Advocates, told Smart Cities Dive.
Dive Insight:
In July 2025, a federal court ordered Chicago to install APS for blind and low-vision pedestrians in 71% of all signalized intersections throughout the city over the course of a decade. The city was also required to conduct routine inspections and maintenance of its APS devices and create centralized systems to allow city officials and residents to submit APS maintenance requests.
Chicago “has excelled in the areas of APS installation for the Plan Year and has developed several excellent processes and procedures to support the implementation of the Order,” according to the report, released this month. But it noted improper placement of APS and issues with functionality, maintenance and accessibility.
The report is a reminder that installation alone is not enough, Weisburg said. The devices need to be properly designed, installed, programmed and maintained, she said.
“As of the remedial order date, there were about 2,800 signalized intersections, and 71% of those need to be made accessible within 10 years and 100% within 15 years,” Weisburg said. Once the city hits 71%, it can petition the court that it has achieved “meaningful access” and ask that it be permitted to stop installing APS for the remaining intersections or extend the time it has to reach 100%, she said.
“The report suggests that the city is figuring this out, but obviously slower than we would want,” Weisberg said. “It's important that when we're revamping an entire system, lessons are learned … so blind pedestrians can use these APS safely and effectively.”
The Chicago case is a reminder to all cities that APS are not optional, she said. “They're critical infrastructure that provides key traffic safety information for blind and low-vision pedestrians.”
Disability Rights Advocates and several other groups sued Chicago in 2019 because it was “behind other large pedestrian cities,” Weisberg said. “Our hope is that with this really historic and robust court order, Chicago will grow to be a city leader, but I think we’re still many years away from that reality.”
Even so, “there's general optimism, excitement and hope that we have been seeing such a large number of installations,” she said.
