[nagdu] Audible Traffic lights

[Marion Gwizdala]

Larry,
    There is an intersection in our neighborhood where it is sometimes 
difficult to tell when the parallel trafic light has changed and it is safe 
to cross due to the light flow of traffic in the direction of travel. It 
happens to be so in both the east=-west and north-south directions. Merry 
and I can stand at the corner through several cycles before getting enough 
traffic to help us in our crossing. We have discussed petitioning for an 
audible pedestrian signal at this intersection.
    Unfortunately, many blind people believe that there should be a signal 
at each and every intersection. After all, they argue, sighted people have 
the signals to tell them when it is safe, why not have the same advantage 
for the blind. The reason I oppose the wholesale installation of such 
signals is because of their cost. It would cost about $73 million to install 
such signals at only the state highway intersection in Hillsborough County 
(Tampa) Florida. This does not include the county and city roads. Nor does 
it include the installation and maintenance of these signals. I think a 
better approach is how it is done in our county. If a person requests an 
audible signal, that request is evaluated by a team of people that includes 
other blind consumers, an O&M professional and traffic engineers. If the 
decision is made to not install the system, the individual has the right to 
appeal the decision and present an argument for it. This allows for 
installations only where they are needed for use by blind consumers and only 
in places where the ability to cross is hindered by the inability to use 
naturalistic cues.

Fraternally yours,
Marion

 the city
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry D. Keeler" <lkeeler at comcast.net>
To: "doggie" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2011 10:12 AM
Subject: [nagdu] Audible Traffic lights


> As I see it, audible traffic lights can deffinetly be a bennefit depending 
> on how and if they work!  I also know that if you are not listening to the 
> traffic as well you can run into serious trouble!  We have 3 that I know 
> about in our city.  one, I have already talked about.  The second is on a 
> trafic corner in which the streets run crooked.  That one is easier only 
> if you remember that you can't go straight accross.  Holly is good at 
> helping with that!  The third one is on a good corner downtown and I could 
> probably trust it but still, I always listen and then go.  I have come to 
> realize why some folks really don't like them.  As landmarks however 
> they're pretty good!
> Intelligence is always claimed but rarely proven!
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