York Region will change the audible tone from the chirp sound to the Canadian Melody at traffic control signals with Audible Pedestrian Signals (APS) for east-west pedestrian crossings at signalized intersections as part of the spring inspection program. The chirp can be confused with certain bird songs. The Canadian Melody will also provide a consistent sound for pedestrians.
The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) outlines the requirements of APS, including audible and tactile walk indicators. The standard across Ontario for the audible indicator for the north-south crossing is a cuckoo sound. For the east-west audible indicator, municipalities use both the chirp and the Canadian Melody.
Many neighbouring municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area use the more distinctive Canadian Melody.
It will take several months for York Region to change the chirp sound to the Canadian Melody since every APS pushbutton must be individually reprogrammed. The work will be done when the Region does their annual spring signal inspections.
