[nabs-l] accessible pedestrian signals APS

[Jedi]

Now that's a great idea that solves a lot of problems. I was thinking 
of a similar technology for the deaf-blind that would alert them to 
traffic patterns based on cars rather than the lights.

Respectfully,
Jedi

Original message:
> I like what we have in Barcelona (Spain): blind people can ask for a 
> remote which can be used to activate audible traffic signals. This same 
> remote can also be used to make a bus tell you its number when it 
> comes. The system is not perfect yet, but it works most of the time.
> On May 2, 2011, at 7:42 PM, Arielle Silverman wrote:

>> Hi Ashley and all,

>> I don't know exactly what NFB's official position is at this point. I
>> personally am a big fan of audible traffic signals, for a few reasons.
>> First, as you pointed out, there are several kinds of intersections
>> where the auditory cue to cross is rather subtle-such as
>> T-intersections, those where the parallel street is generally quiet or
>> those with leading turn arrows, where you have to listen for the
>> turning traffic to stop before crossing. I know it is possible to
>> reliably cross these kinds of intersections using traffic cues alone,
>> but the potential for mistakes (both missing the cue to cross and
>> inadvertently crossing at the wrong time) is substantial especially
>> for those who have had insufficient training. Second, as far as I
>> know, there is no reliable way to tell when your walk signal is about
>> to end. So if you come up to an intersection and the light is in your
>> favor, there's no way to tell whether you will have enough time to
>> cross before the light changes. The only really safe way to handle
>> this is to wait until the light turns red and then green again, which
>> can be inconvenient. Trust me, I've gambled on these and tried to
>> cross without enough time-the result is scary not to mention
>> embarrassing. Finally, though I know this logic is not always popular,
>> I do think that if the sighted are given a clear cue to cross the
>> street and it is not an undue hardship to make that signal accessible
>> to the blind, it should be done. I can't imagine an intersection where
>> sighted pedestrians are expected to watch the traffic without any kind
>> of walk signal or light indicating when it was safe to cross.
>> That being said, I don't think this necessarily has to be our biggest
>> priority at this time. I also recognize that some blind travelers find
>> audible signals bothersome and I would support some way of making the
>> sound optional or implementing a tactile (i.e. vibrating) signal,
>> which would also benefit the deaf-blind.

>> Arielle

>> On 5/2/11, Jorge Paez <computertechjorgepaez at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> I thought it wasn't supposed to be enforced till like 2012?


>>> On May 2, 2011, at 7:14 PM, <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:

>>>> George,
>>>> Actually the ACB seems as mad as ever; yes they won in the court; but the
>>>> government has not produced accessible currency yet.
>>>> Some do not feel the decision will be enforced.

>>>> Ashley

>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Jorge Paez
>>>> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 6:57 PM
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] accessible pedestrian signals APS

>>>> I believe the national is officially against expanding the use of APS.

>>>> As far as accessible currency, didn't the ACB already close that case in
>>>> court?
>>>> ACB V. US trasury 2009 or something like that?


>>>> On May 2, 2011, at 6:36 PM, <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:

>>>>> Hi all,

>>>>> I am on the ACB list and as usual with controversial topics, they are
>>>>> taking the Accessible pedestrian signal and accessible currency
>>>>> topics and really trashing the NFB and they don’t know the real positions
>>>>> and facts.
>>>>> They think NFB opposes both.
>>>>> I may not tell them as they will not listen, but what are the positions?
>>>>> Nfb is not opposed to APS fully.

>>>>> What is the national position? Any late resolutions?  Also, what do you
>>>>> think and when have you found them helpful or not helpful?
>>>>> Personally, I’d like the APS at intersections where you have to press the
>>>>> walk button as a pedestrian.  We cannot see the walk signal to know when
>>>>> our time starts; you have to press the button in order to tell the
>>>>> computer that you are a pedestrian and need a walk phase to cross the
>>>>> street.  I think these are called actuated signals.  These streets favor
>>>>> drivers, not pedestrians; the busier streets get more traffic time.  That
>>>>> change of the signal is activated by a computer.

>>>>> At fixed time streets, those streets with a set time to cross, without a
>>>>> button are easier IMO and you got sufficient traffic cues to hear to
>>>>> cross.
>>>>> I also think some streets are more complex now a days with more turn
>>>>> lanes and islands, and a accessible signal would be great.  Some signals
>>>>> even talk to you and count down the time left in the walk interval.

>>>>> So I guess I see APS as a benefit  when you have insufficient traffic
>>>>> cues to cross the street.  I’ve tried to learn how to cross T streets,
>>>>> and those are confusing too; maybe the APS would help there too.  No
>>>>> parallel traffic on T-shaped streets.

>>>>> Look forward to your thoughts; I know NFB modified their position on APS,
>>>>> so I’m not sure what it is now.  I certainly don’t want them everywhere,
>>>>> but in several cases with complex traffic patterns I can see their use.

>>>>> Ashley
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>> --
>> Arielle Silverman
>> President, National Association of Blind Students
>> Phone:  602-502-2255
>> Email:
>> nabs.president at gmail.com
>> Website:
>> www.nabslink.org

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