[nagdu] Audible Traffic lights

[Tracy Carcione]

Gosh, imagine that, just being able to make a request for an audible
signal and having it happen.  I had to badger the county for 2 years,
threaten them with the DOJ, and enlist the help of a sympathetic town
manager, my state Assemblywoman, and The Seeing Eye.  Maybe I should move
to Canada.  Much more civilized.
Tracy

> 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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>>
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