[Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app

Mon Jun 29 12:29:30 UTC 2015

The so-called "Barnes Dance" was devised by the innovative Henry Barnes when 
he was New York City's traffic commissioner in the 1960's.  But having 
traffic come to a complete standstill at all four corners of an intersection 
while pedestrians were allowed to cross in any direction proved to be so 
unpopular with motorists and so confusing to pedestrians that his successor 
discontinued the practice, and it has not been tried again in New York City 
ever since.

Gerald

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Annette Carr via Electronics-talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
To: "'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'" 
<electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: "Annette Carr" <amcarr1 at verizon.net>
Sent: Monday, June 29, 2015 8:14 AM
Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app

> Yes, they are called Barnes Dances.  They have a few in Washington DC. 
> The
> diagonal path of that type of crossing can be very difficult/dangerous for
> some cane travelers.  The domed or crown shape of the center of the
> intersection surface does not lend itself to walking a straight line for
> some people.
>
> Traditional 4-way intersections have a total of 8 paths of travel.  The
> intersections which use the Barnes Dance configuration have a total of 12
> path of travel.  With these types of crossings, there are 3 segments to 
> the
> light cycle.  One for the east/west vehicle traffic, one for the 
> north/south
> vehicle traffic, and one for pedestrians in all directions including the
> diagonal.  Unfortunately, if you elect to not utilize the diagonal path 
> and
> choose to cross using 2 crossings, you most likely have to wait an entire
> cycle before you can make your second crossing.  These types of crossings
> are typically used where there is a high volume of pedestrian traffic. 
> Many
> guide dog users have reported that their dog gets confused about which 
> path
> of travel the owner wants them to take.  There are 3 options at each 
> corner,
> and they are very close together resulting in the lack of a distinct
> starting point for each path of travel.
>
> Annette
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of cheez via Electronics-talk
> Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2015 3:04 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
> Cc: cheez
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app
>
> Brett, I know what you are talking about.  I think they are called Barnes
> Dances.  I've only seen them in Ithaca, NY.  They are cool.
>
> Vince
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Brett Boyer via Electronics-talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: "'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'"
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "Brett Boyer" <bboyer202 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 11:19 AM
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] Traffic signal app
>
>
>>I hope all of you that say no one needs audible traffic lights, realize
>> we're still arguing about something that has been going on for years.
>> The idea that audible traffic lights are not necessary, folks forget 
>> about
>> some of the really difficult intersections in cities. Now, maybe you 
>> don't
>> have intersections like this or maybe you don't travel independently very
>> much. And, I hope this is the case. However, there are those instances
>> where
>> intersections, these days, audible traffic lights are almost a necessity.
>> If
>> you don't need them, that's great!
>> Also, and I'm not familiar with the proper terminology, but a lot of
>> heavily
>> traffic areas now have a new pattern where all cars stop and allow
>> pedestrians to cross any way they want. It would be nice to know what 
>> type
>> of intersection you are approaching. The newer lights that I've seen here
>> in
>> California, when the button is pressed down it will tell you what
>> intersection you are at, what corner you are at, and a count-down letting
>> you know where to go. I have not used any of these myself but I 've heard
>> them and have been around them while with other people.
>> Do I think everyone should use audible signals? No, obviously not, but
>> having a device that tells you about the intersection you are at would be
>> a
>> big help.
>> bb
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Mike Freeman via Electronics-talk
>> Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 8:18 AM
>> To: 'Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances'
>> Cc: Mike Freeman
>> 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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