[nagdu] Audible Traffic lights

Thu Nov 17 17:08:04 UTC 2011

Hi Tracy:

In order to stem the onslaught of americans who are blind moving to Vancouver (although you are all welcome:), the time between making the request for the  audible signal and it's being put into place can often be several years. The pattern I have found is I move to a new neighbourhood, notice a crosswalk or intersection that I use a lot that doesn't have audible signals, put in the request to city hall and usually several years later, often shortly after I've moved to another neighbourhood, the signal is installed. :) But at least there is a process in place and people open to listening at city hall.

Gary

----- Original Message -----
From: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
Date: Thursday, November 17, 2011 6:26 am
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Audible Traffic lights
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>

> 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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