[Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City

Thu Apr 11 14:37:24 UTC 2013

Hello all,
Whats the best GPS app to use? 

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 11, 2013, at 10:32, Jim Barbour <jbar at barcore.com> wrote:

> 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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>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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