Pedestrian crossing signals.

Senator Cervantes' pedestrian safety legislation mandates new accessibility features for traffic signals across California, requiring state-owned intersections to incorporate touch-free pedestrian crossing technology and leading pedestrian intervals. The measure updates Section 21450.5 of the Vehicle Code to establish comprehensive standards for pedestrian signals at state-operated crossings.

The bill requires installation of touch-free accessible pedestrian signals (APS) at new state highway crossings, which communicate walk signals through audio tones, speech messages, and vibrating surfaces. When touch-free APS is added to existing crossings or installed in response to Americans with Disabilities Act requests, all pedestrian signals at that location must be upgraded to touch-free technology. The Department of Transportation must implement leading pedestrian intervals at state-operated signals in residential areas, business districts, school zones, and high-pedestrian corridors during routine maintenance, allowing pedestrians to begin crossing before vehicles receive green lights.

Local agencies operating state-owned signals must report their implementation of leading pedestrian intervals to Caltrans for inclusion in the department's traffic management database. The bill establishes a reimbursement process for costs incurred by local agencies in meeting these new requirements. Implementation timelines vary based on project type, with immediate standards for new installations and phased upgrades for existing signals during scheduled maintenance.