[nagdu] Audible Traffic lights

GARY STEEVES rainshadowmusic at shaw.ca
Wed Nov 16 21:25:27 UTC 2011


Hi Marian:

I agree with your comments. In Vancouver I do the same thing. If I move to a new area of the city and find an intersection that is more challenging, or honestly just a very busy one, I will put in the request for audible signals. I'd have to say that Vancouver is one of the most accessible cities in North America so I think every new light that goes in or is replaced always includes an audible signal. I have also worked with the city to deal with our audible crosswalks to make them so they don't annoy everyone else, especially later in the evening. Some of them actually have lower volumes based on the noise levels around them.

Obviously, as you stated, every intersection with lights doesn't need audible signals which is why I encourage others to help the city make it's priorities by requesting intersections receve that treatmtnet and explaining why, from a blind perspective, one feels this would help increase safety.

Gary


----- Original Message -----
From: Marion Gwizdala <blind411 at verizon.net>
Date: Monday, November 14, 2011 6:35 pm
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Audible Traffic lights
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>

> 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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