Polara Launches Revolutionary Wireless Pedestrian System for Accessible Crosswalks in the Transportation Industry
Polara Enterprises (Polara) is excited to announce the launch of its latest innovation for the transportation industry: the Wireless Ped System (WPS). Developed to support cities in meeting the PROWAG (Public Right of Way Accessibility Guidelines) requirements, this groundbreaking product enables rapid, cost-effective installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) at intersections, making crosswalks accessible for visually disabled pedestrians without the need for extensive construction.
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Wireless PED System (WPS). (Graphic: Polara Enterprises)
To meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and PROWAG standards, the placement of APS buttons may require significant infrastructure changes, such as new wiring, trenching, and pole foundations. The new WPS uses solar and secure Bluetooth® technology that eliminates these obstacles, allowing an APS to be installed without running new wires or altering existing concrete and asphalt. This means cities can retrofit intersections with APS quickly—turning a multi-month project into an afternoon's work. The solution minimizes disruption to traffic flow and existing infrastructure, saving up to 65% in labor and construction costs.
By offering an innovative, wireless solution, the WPS allows traffic engineers to install APS push buttons that provide visual, audible, and vibrotactile feedback, which communicates the pedestrian signal state, ensuring visually disabled pedestrians can safely align themselves with the crosswalk.
“Cities today are working hard to provide accessible, PROWAG-compliant infrastructure, and the WPS is a game-changer in helping them achieve these goals,” said Ryan Macias, Vice-president, Applications Engineering at Polara. “With the WPS, transportation departments can now deliver critical accessibility improvements that align with federal guidelines, in a fraction of the time and cost, enabling safer streets for all.”
The Wireless Ped System is now available for deployment, offering cities an efficient, practical solution to increase crosswalk accessibility while keeping infrastructure investments manageable.
About Polara Enterprises
Polara designs and manufactures the most technologically advanced and durable ADA-compliant and pedestrian-friendly crosswalk devices on the market. With hundreds of thousands of Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) and push buttons installed across North America, Polara is one of the most trusted names in pedestrian safety. For more information, visit polara.com.
About Synapse ITS
Uniting industry-leading brands Polara Enterprises, Carmanah Technologies, Eberle Design (EDI), Diablo Controls, and Availed Technologies, Synapse ITS is a comprehensive transportation technology platform focused on increasing roadway safety, accessibility, and efficiency through innovative infrastructure. From intersections to highways, crosswalks to parking areas, Synapse ITS products leverage durable, dependable hardware alongside state-of-the-art software and data collection to provide agencies with intelligent solutions to complex transportation challenges. For more information, visit synapse-its.com.
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