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Diario Euskadi

Vitoria-Gasteiz Smart Traffic Lights Optimize Sound Activation for Visually Impaired Individuals

The Vitoria-Gasteiz City Council has upgraded 660 traffic lights with Passblue technology to personalize the use of acoustic warnings.

Generic image of a traffic light in Vitoria-Gasteiz with a bluetooth device.
IA

Generic image of a traffic light in Vitoria-Gasteiz with a bluetooth device.

At several intersections in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the audible warnings from traffic lights now operate differently, being activated only by visually impaired individuals when they need to cross.

In recent months, a change has been observed in the operation of traffic lights at various intersections in Vitoria-Gasteiz. The audible warnings no longer sound continuously but are activated only at very specific moments. This change is due to a new system aimed at visually impaired individuals, who activate the sound only when they are about to cross.
According to the City Council, Passblue traffic lights are now being used, a Bluetooth-based warning system that has replaced the traditional acoustic warning model at many points in the city. This new system began to expand across Vitoria-Gasteiz in 2024, as part of a renovation plan that has allowed 660 pedestrian traffic lights to be adapted to incorporate this Passblue technology.
This technology is linked to the ONCE, and a company responsible for its installation implemented it in the city. The change is significant compared to the previous system. The conventional acoustic warning operated continuously, emitting a signal during each green phase for pedestrians from 8 AM to 10 PM. Although it was a system designed for accessibility, the constant noise generated disturbances in the urban environment.
Since 2024, with the Passblue system, the operation is different. It is only activated when a visually impaired person needs it, either through a specific mobile application or a small remote control. These wireless devices are primarily installed in new public space projects or locations requested by associations related to visual impairment. Furthermore, these Passblue traffic lights communicate wirelessly, without the pedestrian needing to manipulate the pole, which improves the autonomy of visually impaired individuals and facilitates safer crossings for those with reduced mobility.
These warning devices also feature different frequency tones to facilitate transit: an orientation tone to locate the pedestrian crossing, a crossing tone to begin crossing, and an end-of-green-cycle tone. This way, the sound is activated only when a person needs to cross and not during every traffic light cycle as was previously the case.

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