[Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app

Sat Jun 27 20:23:25 UTC 2015

I know exactly how you feel.  My O&M instructor from a leading deaf/blind 
rehab agency also suggested that I carry around a crossing card, but during 
my second training session, someone came up behind me at a busy intersection 
and slapped it right out of my hand.  Never again.  Plus, I also have 
balance problems, so I have to rely on a sighted guide to get around safely 
on the mean streets of Manhattan.

Gerald

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Drew Hunthausen via Electronics-talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
To: "'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'" 
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "Drew Hunthausen" <dhunthausen at gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 3:22 PM
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app

> 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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