[Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app

Sat Jun 27 19:00:29 UTC 2015

I should think vibrotactile signals would be better for the
hearing-impaired/deaf-blind. But still, you're trusting (a) on a machine --
the signal -- and (b) on the traffic obeying the signal. Had I a hearing
problem, I'd be *extremely* leary of depending upon either of (a) or (b)
being true. But that's for another list.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Gerald Levy via Electronics-talk
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 11:34 AM
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
Cc: Gerald Levy
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app

And suppose, like me, you are also severely hearing impaired and cannot
accurately determine traffic flow patterns by sound, even with high-tech
digital hearing aids?  At least audible traffic signals provide another
piece of information that makes crossing a busy intersection a little safer.

It amazes me that there are actually blindness advocacy organizations that
oppose such audible signals and have fought hard to prevent them from being
installed.  Unbelievable.

Gerald

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Barbour via Electronics-talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" 
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "Jim Barbour" <jbar at barcore.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 2:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app

> The real question is what do you need an audible traffic signal or an 
> iPhone app for? I generally cross intersections by relying on traffic 
> patterns, not on something to tell me the color of the light.
>
> Just my thought,
>
> Jim
>
> Written While on the Move
>
>> On Jun 27, 2015, at 10:17 AM, Mike Freeman via Electronics-talk 
>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> I guess my problem is that I don't see how *simple* vibration patterns 
>> could
>> convey enough information about complex intersections and if it were a
>> simple go-no-go, you'd be trusting the app and/or the traffic signal to 
>> make
>> judgment calls for you. I guess I don't trust either the iPhone or the
>> traffic signal to get it right.
>>
>> I know what I shall say next is impractical. But I'd prefer a little 
>> remote
>> that, when punched, would do the same thing emergency vehicles can do, 
>> that
>> is, automagically turn lights green in the direction you're going. Ah, 
>> what
>> fun!
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Elizabeth Campbell via Electronics-talk
>> Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 9:27 AM
>> To: 'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'
>> Cc: Elizabeth Campbell
>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app
>>
>> Hi Mike,
>> I do think the smart phone app is worth considering as I don't see why 
>> you
>> would need ear buds when a developer could incorporate vibration patterns

>> to
>> indicate the status of the traffic signal.And of course, we have to rely 
>> on
>> our own hearing and judgment first and foremost when crossing streets.
>> I see this app as a tool to supplement our travel, in the same way that 
>> some
>> use Blind Square or other GPS apps.
>>
>> JMO
>>
>> Liz
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of cheez via Electronics-talk
>> Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 11:10 AM
>> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
>> Cc: cheez
>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app
>>
>> So, I guess Phoenix isn't the only city with the audible signals that 
>> sound
>> like a machine gun.  When I asked a person from The City why the change 
>> was
>> made, he said a group of engineers decided that sound was better than a
>> chirp or beep.  I told him I'd bet anything not one of them were blind 
>> nor
>> cross intersections.  I also pointed out that those with hearing deficits
>> may not be able to hear the new sound.
>>
>> Mike, I get what you're saying about the delay of a traffic light's
>> information.  But perhaps the app could be launched before you leave, and
>> then run in the background.
>>
>> As far as headphones are concerned, we may see future devices coming out
>> with the bone-conducting headphones included.
>>
>> Vince
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Mike Freeman via Electronics-talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> To: "'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'"
>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: "Mike Freeman" <k7uij at panix.com>
>> Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 8:18 AM
>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app
>>
>>
>>> Hi, Elizabeth.
>>>
>>> With respect, I beg to differ with you. By the time an app told you what
>>> you
>>> needed to know, the light would have changed. Moreover, you'd need 
>>> earbuds
>>> or those bone-conducting headphones to hear your i-device anyway. And I
>>> wouldn't want to be fiddling with an app at a street crossing when, in 
>>> the
>>> end, like everyone else, I'm dependent upon my senses and my brain to 
>>> mind
>>> its P's and Q's.
>>>
>>> Also, such an app and the underlying infrastructure would be way too 
>>> easy
>>> to
>>> hack -- not a comforting thought when my posterior is on the line.
>>>
>>> Mike Freeman
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf Of Elizabeth Campbell via Electronics-talk
>>> Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 8:12 AM
>>> To: 'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'
>>> Cc: Elizabeth Campbell
>>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app
>>>
>>> Hi Tracy,
>>>
>>> I agree that having such an app would be extremely helpful. I really 
>>> don't
>>> like the audible signals that are currently in use, but I think a smart
>>> phone app is a great idea.
>>> It would also benefit us since cars are much quieter now. Also, we have 
>>> to
>>> contend with annoying, turning traffic.
>>>
>>> Best
>>>
>>> Liz
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf Of Tracy Carcione via Electronics-talk
>>> Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 10:00 AM
>>> To: 'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'
>>> Cc: Tracy Carcione
>>> Subject: [Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app
>>>
>>> Someone said they'd heard about work on an app to identify when a 
>>> traffic
>>> light was walk or don't walk.  Anyone know any more about this?  I keep
>>> thinking how useful that would be.  As I'm getting older, I don't hear 
>>> the
>>> traffic changes as well as I used to.  And an app seems a lot cheaper 
>>> than
>>> putting in audible signals.  And I keep hearing about traffic signals
>>> having
>>> all kinds of "smart" things built in, so maybe an app could build on
>>> something already there.
>>>
>>> Tracy
>>>
>>>
>>>
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