PedSafety 906-0018 APS Beacon/ BBU User Manual

: June 6, 2024
: PedSafety

Table of Contents

Introduction
Overview
System Configuration
- Settings and Operational Mode Features in PedConnex
- Audio Files
Appendix A: Acronyms, Abbreviations & Definitions
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

APS Beacon/ BBU User’s Manual
906-0018
Revision C March 3, 2021

PedSafety, A Campbell Company
450 W. McGregor Drive Boise, Idaho 83705 USA
Tel: 1-208-345-7459 Fax: 1-208-345-7481

Last edited: 03 March 2021
This document is copyright © 03 March 2021 by Pedsafety, A Campbell Company. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a retrieval system, or translated into any language, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from PedSafety.
All copyright, confidential information, patents, design rights and all other intellectual property rights of whatsoever nature contained herein are and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of PedSafety. The information furnished herein is believed to be accurate and reliable.
However, no responsibility is assumed by PedSafety for its use, or for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties resulting from its use. The PedSafety, A Campbell Company name and PedSafety logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of PedSafety, A Campbell Company. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners

APS Beacon/ BBU User’s Manual 906-0018

Document Revision History

Introduction

Purpose of this Document

The purpose of this document is to describe the operation of the Guardian APS Beacon.

Additional Information

The Beacon has many different functions and comes with various mounting configurations.
A Signal Power Interface (SPI) is required convert to Walk and Don’t Walk signals from the pedestrian signal head to low voltage control signals to operate the Beacon.
A Signal Power Interface XC (SPI) is required when used in conjunction with a Guardian APS unit.
See the Beacon Installation instructions for the specifics of each mounting.
See the Beacon Wiring Quick Guides for a brief graphical installation guide and wiring instructions.
Refer to the PedConnex Utility manual for specific instructions for programming.

Contact Information

The first line of contact should be your regional distributor that the system was purchased from. If you are unable to contact the distributor, please contact Campbell Company directly. Campbell Company Tech Support: 1-208-345-7459 option #2

Overview

Product Overview

The Guardian APS Beacon is the most versatile programmable speaker in the traffic market providing intelligent communication to ssist pedestrians with audible indications for safe passage in high traffic areas. The Beacon can function independently, paired with a standard pushbutton, or integrated with our Guardian APS unit for advanced broadcast functionality.

Functionality – BBU (Based Broadcast Unit)

The BBU provides audible indications each time the Walk Display is active. It is intended for corridors where there is no pedestrian activation.
The BBU can provide additional audible indications in the Don’t Walk and Clearance cycles when configured in the “Continuous Beacon” mode.
Time of Day settings allow the BBU to utilize Quiet Signals Technology, typically during nighttime.

Functionality – Beacon APS

The Beacon APS used in conjunction with a Guardian APS system provides amplified broadcasting.
An extended press of the pushbutton enables the Beacon to broadcast an audible indication during the active Walk and Clearance cycle.
The Beacon is typically mounted near the ped head and is focused to provide sound to the last half of the crossing.
The beaconing or countdown indications provide a sound path to assist the pedestrian to finish the crossing.
The Beacon may be used in conjunction with any typical pushbutton to provide audible APS indications. It can be set to activate with either a momentary or extended press utilizing the PedConnex software utility.

Beacon – Preemption

The Beacon is designed to provide Light Rail, and other Preemption Warnings at the crosswalk.
In light rail applications, the Beacon can broadcast the status of the platform and pedestrian areas as a train approaches the station area.
The Beacon can provide audible warnings of vehicle movement near pedestrians in sidewalk crossing entrance / exit areas. Particularly useful in parking garages and tight downtown corridors. The Beacon may be used as a temporary advisory device uring
construction.
Each preemption mode requires an input from the controller

PedConnex Utility

The Beacon comes fully configured, customized for the installation. It is also supported by PedConnex utility, easy to use with straight forward installations and is available for download on the Campbell Company Website.

Installation

The Beacon and BBU requires the signal power interface (SPI) to be mounted into the Pedestrian Signal Head.
A Pan Tilt bracket (included with Beacons) allows the unit to be mounted on a traffic pole or extension arm.
In a BBU configuration, the unit can be installed underneath the pedestrian signal head directing audible information at the initiation point of the cross walk.

Components

There are two primary components for the Independent Beacon/ BBU configuration:

Beacon/ BBU
Pan Tilt Mount (supplied with purchase of Beacon only, not BBU)
Signal Power Interface

Additional Option

Bluetooth (allows user to use the mobile version of the PedConnex Utility to change settings)
Signal Power Interface XC (extra capacity, used when installing a PedSafety APS and a Beacon or BBU at the same intersection)

There are two additional components for the Beacon APS functionality:

Guardian APS or Mechanical or 4 EVR PPB
6 Conductor wire

Custom Audio Messages

Beacons come fully programmed with audio files from the factory. Several free applications such as Audacity give you the option to create your own custom messages or tones in a simple .wav format that can be easily uploaded via USB port. The Beacon will accept any audio message that is 16-bit signed, 16 kHz mono in WAV format.
Second languages, gender narrative, and special percussive tones can be easily created and uploaded.

System Configuration

The Beacon comes with the user-friendly PedConnex utility to configure the station. While the Beacon comes configured from the factory, some installations require modifications to audible messages or functionality to best fit the needs of the crosswalk location. This can be accomplished after factory configuration.
PedConnex can be downloaded and launched on any number of computers that will be used in the field. The PedConnex utility includes a detailed electronic version of the PedConnex Utility Manual which will be referred to in this document. This document will direct you to main areas of interest in the PedConnex User’s Manual. Please refer to the PedConnex Utility manual for more detailed information on programming and configuration.

PedConnex also incorporates “roll over” help bubbles that explain the various options and how to set them up.
Obtain PedConnex APS configuration utility by visiting: www.Pedsafety.com/downloads Then click “Download PedConnex”.

Settings and Operational Mode Features in PedConnex

The primary operational settings are located on the “Setup” page

APS Mode: Set to “Beacon”.
Extended Press Time: Time in milliseconds to hold the button to turn on the audible walk and clearance indications. For use with 4EVR buttons set to 100ms, set to 0 to play every cycle.
Walk Timeout: Maximum time in seconds for walk message to play.
Walk Audio Delay: Time to delay Walk indication from the start of the walk phase.
FDW Audio Delay: Time to delay Clearance indication from the start of the clearance phase.
Clearance Mode: Select from; Off, AlwaysON, and CountDown.
Location: City, State.
Intersection: Cross Street for reference.
CC#: Campbell Company Sales Order Number.

Volume and Sound Controls are located on the “Volumes” page.

Volume: Two settings adjust volume for non-locator indications and locator tone independently

Non-Locator Volume – Adjusts the volume of the audible messages or percussive tones or indications
Locator – The Beacon/BBU does not have a Locator tone, so this setting is not applicable

Night Mode: Night Mode changes the volume settings based on the time of day
Automatic Gain Control: Automatic Gain Control (AGC) settings change the rate at which the unit volume output reacts to changes in the ambient noise level

Audio Files

The Beacon comes fully programmed with audio files from the factory. Campbell Company generates custom messages for the intersection from information on the intersection worksheet submitted at the time of order placement.

Walk – plays when Walk sign is on.
Clearance – plays clearance message in the flashing don’t walk if clearance mode is set to “Always on”
Countdown – provides audible countdown of remaining time during flashing don’t walk.

In “Continuous Beacon” mode “Off” will ensure only the locator tone is played in the clearance phase.

Appendix A: Acronyms, Abbreviations & Definitions

Term	Meaning
Accessible Pedestrian Signal	A device that communicates information about

pedestrian signal in a non-visual format such as audible tones, verbal messages, and/or vibrating surfaces (MUTCD)
| Audible Beaconing Use of sound to provide directional orientation and alignment information in the clearance phase.
Audio File| A file format for storing digital audio data on a computer system.
Automatic Gain Control (AGC)| An APS volume control that is automatically responsive to ambient (background) sound.
Clearance Interval Indication| Tones sounding during the pedestrian clearance interval that are differentiated from the WALK interval indicator (tones)
Clearance mode| Sets what and how audio files are played in Flashing Don’t Walk
• Off— No FDW audio. Goes back to locating.
• Always On — Plays Clearance indication every activated cycle.
• Countdown — Audible countdown of the clearance phase. Note: Requires one cycle to calibrate Flashing Don’t Walk time.
Extended Press| Holding the pedestrian push button down from 1-5 seconds will activate features, including audible Beaconing.
Night Mode| An alternate configuration typically used to control audio volume at night time.
Signal Power Interface (SPI)| Power source that interfaces with Pedestrian Signal Head power for Base Station interface.
SPIXC| SPI for use with Beacon/BBU plus AGPS/Guardian
USB Port| USB connection on Beacon/BBU stations.
.wav file| An audio file format.

906-0018 APS Beacon User Manual Rev D
© Dick Campbell Company 2021. All rights reserved