[gui-talk] Fwd: Press Release: New Cross WalkSafety System ForThe Visually Impaired

[Steve Pattison]

While this system is currently only available in the USA I thought 
people living in other countries might be interested in the technology 
described in this article.  -Steve.

From: Parker at Vip conduit Vipcomm at mchsi.com
To: Accessible Devices a-d at accessible-devices.com

This is the first we've heard of this and we have no further 
information.

Developing the Corner of Blind Avenue and Safety Way
MOSCOW, Idaho - For the 21.2 million Americans who suffer from vision 
loss,
crossing the street can be a stressful and potentially dangerous
proposition. Thanks to engineers at the University of Idaho, many 
visually
impaired individuals soon may have a greatly reduced risk thanks to a 
tool
already in their pockets - their cell phone.
The statistics for vision loss, provided by the American Foundation for 
the
Blind, include anyone reporting difficulty seeing, even while wearing
glasses or contact lenses. No matter the level of visual impairment, 
many
conditions - including visual noise, walking at night and irregular
intersections - can result in missing a crosswalk.
Regardless of conditions, the new system being developed in Moscow, 
Idaho,
will make intersections safer and easier to navigate.
"Minute for minute on the road, any pedestrian is 150 percent more 
likely to
be injured by a car than somebody driving one," said Richard Wall, 
professor
of electrical and computer engineering. "But it is pretty apparent that 
the
blind pedestrians are the ones most at risk at intersections."
The new technology utilizes features already available in many cellular
phones, including communications, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS)
functions and magnetic compasses to help visually impaired pedestrians.
Specialized software allows these pedestrians to activate the crossing
signal remotely without having to locate the physical button.
Then, the GPS system monitors the position and direction of travel while
crossing. As long as the crosser stays within the crosswalk, nothing
happens. But stray outside the lines, and an audible warning activates
alerting the pedestrian of their danger. It then provides directions on 
how
to get back within the safety zone. Should the walker somehow end up in 
the
middle of the intersection, the system automatically would turn every 
light
red, stopping traffic and averting a potential disaster.
"It's true that this would disrupt the timing of the signal patterns 
when it
gets activated," said Wall. "But we would much rather disrupt them for a 
few
seconds than for a half hour while an ambulance assists a traffic 
victim."
To ensure people don't trigger the alarm just for fun, only those who 
need
the help would be able to acquire the necessary software.
The system requires more than software, however. It also requires the
installation of new hardware in thousands of lights across the country.
Luckily, Wall and his team have found a solution that not only is cost
effective, it simplifies the existing system.
Many crosswalks currently have handicapped-assisted signals that provide
help such as audio tones indicating when it is safe to cross. However, 
the
box that controls the intersection contains a massive amount of wiring. 
This
is necessary to connect each actuator with each signal so at any given 
time,
the control box knows each state.
Wall's new system simplifies each box to only two wires, both already
required to power the signals. It uses a technology called Ethernet over
power line, which allows information to be broadcast over power lines.
The future is clear for Wall and his research team. They have 
established
dates to deliver the engineering and expect field trials to commence in
June. They are building prototypes supported by funds from the 
University
Transportation Centers program, Idaho's Higher Education Research 
Council
and their commercial partner, Campbell Company, who currently makes the
accessible pedestrian signals that chirp and talk for the handicapped.
"The signals we're building are more than prototypes. These devices 
actually
can go into the field and work today," said Wall. "We're using existing
infrastructure and communicating intelligence over it. It's cost 
effective,
it simplifies the connection to two wires and it can be immediately
installed in all the existing crosswalks in the country."

Regards Steve
Email:  srp at internode.on.net
Windows Live Messenger:  internetuser383 at hotmail.com
Skype:  steve1963