[nabs-l] accessible pedestrian signals APS

[Jessica Silva]

I definitely do see use for the pedestrian signals in certain situations.  For instance, as someone else stated at least in my oppinion I find T intersections very hard to cross either do to the lack of paralell traffic or the infrequentness of it.  Secondly, I actually would think it could be pretty useful as well in some regular four way stops especially if you're crossing a busy street and the intersecting street doesn't have too much traffic.  I live right next to one of these intersections and I have to cross a major busy street to get to the bart station every morning.  The street I live on intersects with this busy street but there isn't enough traffic for me to really get enough of an idea when the cycle starts so I'm having to rely on good judgement and hope for the best.  While there are several times when a pedestrian is not necessary it's during these times that they do become necessary because it's just that much harder to cross a
 street just based on listening for paralell traffic.

Jessica silva

--- On Sun, 5/8/11, Amy Sabo <amylsabo at comcast.net> wrote:


From: Amy Sabo <amylsabo at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] accessible pedestrian signals APS
To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Date: Sunday, May 8, 2011, 4:12 PM


hello ashely and all,

as to the topic on accessible signal aps i don;t use them that much but, there are times when i use them for my safety. i use it the most when they are at a busy area like nnear downtown denver where thetre are alot of traffic.

but, for the rest of the time i don't use them. i think that they are helpful in someways but, not on other times when we don't need them. this is just my thoughts on this topic. thanks again and, i will talk to you all soon.



hugs,
amy    

----- Original Message -----
From: bookwormahb at earthlink.net
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Mon, 02 May 2011 22:36:42 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: [nabs-l] accessible pedestrian signals APS

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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