[nagdu] Audible Traffic Signals

[Ann Edie]

Hi, Albert and All,

I have heard, but don't know this from personal experience, that some APS 
are made with built-in sound level monitors, so that, when the traffic noise 
is great, the signal volume is higher, and when the traffic noise or the 
general environment is quieter, the APS volume is decreased.  This gives the 
correct amount of information to the traveler without disturbing the people 
who live or work in the neighborhood.

Actually, I doubt that people in cities where there is lots of traffic noise 
and general hubbub, construction noise, trucks unloading, backing up, etc., 
would notice or be bothered by the sound of the APS.  Once indoors, I don't 
think they can hear the signal down at the corner.  I live a short block 
from the chirping APS in a generally quiet suburban neighborhood, and I 
cannot hear the chirping signal once I am inside my house.  I rarely notice 
it even when I'm outside.  Of course, it is the kind that only chirps when 
the button is pushed; it doesn't sound at every walk cycle.

When I was a child, the railroad ran across the back of my grandmother's 
back yard.  I used to spend some nights at her house, and I slept in the 
bedroom at the back of the house.  The first night, I would wake up every 
time a train went by.  But after a day or two, I didn't even notice the 
trains.  Although I like a quiet neighborhood where I can enjoy the singing 
of the birds and the rustling of the tree leaves, I don't think the sound of 
the audible signals, especially if they are activated only upon pressing of 
the button, would add significantly to noise pollution in cities.

I do think the vibrating signals would be preferable to the audible ones, as 
long as there is an audible locator sound so that the button can be located 
easily.

Best,
Ann

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Albert J Rizzi" <albert at myblindspot.org>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 8:45 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Audible Traffic Signals


> Interesting to hear that the levels of volume are adjustable. Would be 
> great
> in those places where some would think it might disturb the peace and
> tranquility  of the businesses or passers by in a thread we talked on.
>
> Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
> CEO/Founder
> My Blind Spot, Inc.
> 90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
> New York, New York  10004
> www.myblindspot.org
> PH: 917-553-0347
> Fax: 212-858-5759
> "The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
> doing it."
>
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Tracy Carcione
> Sent: Monday, March 29, 2010 7:13 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Audible Traffic Signals
>
> The audible signal near me is not a chirp, thank Goodness.  My light is
> one where the pedestrian has to push a button to activate the walk sign.
> When the walk signal starts, a voice says "walk sign is on for all
> crossings".  The voice repeats as long as the walk sign is on, about 2 and
> a half times.  I think when the voice stops, the walk sign is flashing to
> show you don't have a lot of time left to cross.
> I think, if it were a 4-way stop, the voice would indicate which street
> had the walk sign.
> To me, it's much clearer than the chirp, and less piercing.  We had to get
> the traffic engineers back to tone it down a bit, since they'd put it in
> at full blast and it was too loud.  Now they turned it down a lot, and
> it's good.
> Tracy
>
>
>
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