[Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City

[Jim Barbour]

I don't think anybody's map information includes information such as
if there's a sidewalk.  This problem is compounded by a lack of
information about contruction zones, etc.

Apps such as Google Maps will give you pedestrian routes to a destination.
It is then up to us, as it is with a sighted pedestrian, to be aware
of the route and any barriers pedestrians face while getting there.

Jim

On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 08:51:32AM -0400, Gerald Levy wrote:
> 
> The problem with all these GPS apps and devices is that they are designed to
> simply give you directions for the shortest route between two points, not
> necessarily the safest route.  If these devices were truly designed with
> blind pedestrians in mind, their primary route  suggestion, regardless of
> length, should include only streets with sidewals or walkways that are
> isolated from traffic.    If no such route is available, then they should
> alert you to this fact.  When you use Google Maps to get directions between
> two points, the walking directions include a warning, if appropriate, that
> some parts of the trip may involve walking on highways or other areas that
> might be hazardous.  GPS devices designed for the blind should do the same.
> After all, when you work with an O&M instructor, he will usually recommend
> the safest route between two points even if it means walking out of your way
> to get to your destination.
> 
> Gerald
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 8:16 AM
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
> 
> 
> >Occasionally, I have asked Sendero GPS to create a pedestrian route,
> >hoping it would give me a non-highway way to get somewhere, and it has
> >told me to walk on the highway.  NOT!
> >Tracy
> >
> >----- Original Message ----- From: "Kaye" <kayezimpher at comcast.net>
> >To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances"
> ><electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> >Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 5:01 PM
> >Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
> >
> >
> >>I am from Atlanta, and while that is no Manhattan, I know many blind
> >>people who successfully use various gps apps on their Iphones. I have
> >>only heard of one time that the gps advised a person to turn on to the
> >>highway, even though the app was in pedestrian mode. That might not have
> >>ended well if he had not know where he was going.
> >>
> >>-----Original Message----- From: David Andrews
> >>Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 12:37 PM
> >>To: Tracy Carcione ; Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
> >>Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
> >>
> >>I have used Street Talk on a Pac Mate, in the distant past, and in
> >>Philadelphia, I had the same problems with tall buildings.\
> >>
> >>Dave
> >>
> >>At 10:49 AM 4/10/2013, you wrote:
> >>>I work in midtown Manhattan.  I have Sendero GPS, running on a
> >>>Braillenote PK.  I find it pretty unreliable in New York City,
> >>>probably because of the many tall buildings.  It frequently says I'm 2
> >>>blocks away from where I know I am, and heading in a different
> >>>direction than I'm heading.  My question is, does this happen with all
> >>>GPS in big cities, or is it because the GPS is running on a PK, not
> >>>the most powerful system in the world? Would, say, IPhone GPS be more
> >>>reliable in the big city?
> >>>I am only interested in the big city aspect.  At home, in north
> >>>Jersey, the Sendero and PK work reasonably well.
> >>>Thanks.
> >>>Tracy
> >>
> >>
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