[Electronics-talk] [EXTERNAL] Re: Traffic signal app

[Baracco, Andrew W]

Well, we all do that, but the art of crossing streets while blind has
changed over the years. Streets have gotten wider, added cycles have
been added to accommodate left turners, new traffic patterns such as
"scatter lights" and round abouts are becoming popular, and we all know
about quiet cars. Of course, even if you know when it is safe to cross,
you will still have those pesky right on red folks, and if they are
driving quiet cars, you won't know what hit you.  I know that from
personal experience.

Andy


-----Original Message-----
From: Electronics-talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jim Barbour via Electronics-talk
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2015 11:05 AM
To: Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
Cc: Jim Barbour
Subject: [EXTERNAL] 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
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Electronics-talk:
>> 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/batescam
> pbell%
>> 40gmail.com
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Electronics-talk:
>> 
>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40pa
nix.
>> com
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Electronics-talk mailing list
>> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Electronics-talk:
>> 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/cheez%40
> cox.ne
> t
> 
> 
> ---
> This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus 
> protection is active.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Electronics-talk mailing list
> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Electronics-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/batescam
> pbell%
> 40gmail.com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Electronics-talk mailing list
> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> Electronics-talk:
>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/k7uij%40pa
nix.
> com
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Electronics-talk mailing list
> Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Electronics-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/jbar%40b
> arcore.com
> 

_______________________________________________
Electronics-talk mailing list
Electronics-talk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Electronics-talk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/electronics-talk_nfbnet.org/andrew.bar
acco%40va.gov