[Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app

[Drew Hunthausen]

Just coming into this discussion. But I am hearing impaired with hearing
only on one side. I have assessed the street crossings in my area and found
that I am not comfortable crossing the major intersections as there is
always a lot of traffic and I cannot accurately know when it is safe to
cross. It's definitely not the quickest solution, but I use a crossing card.
I hold the card up at the light and wait for assistance. Sometimes I get
help almost right away and other times I have to wait. I am getting a guide
dog in the next two months and it has been suggested that for my crossing
card that I make it in bright colors so that it stands out. I wish I could
cross without the cards or any help but this is just the way it is.

-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Steve Jacobson via Electronics-talk
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 12:07 PM
To: 'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'
Cc: Steve Jacobson
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app

Gerald and others,

I would appreciate it if you would give a thoughtful response to my
question.  If one can't hear traffic patterns, how can crossing when the
light is green actually be safe given turning cars and the occasional car
going through a red light?  I am not claiming to know the answer and I don't
have a clear idea of how persons who are severely hearing-impaired deal with
some of this even though I know that some do.  Is it as simple as believing
that people have a right to choose the risks they take?  

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson


-----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 1:34 PM
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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