[NAGDU] audible traffic signals

Mon Sep 20 22:31:02 UTC 2021

Hello,
I prefer tactile signals to audible ones so I can keep listening. It's
harder than you think when it's a 2 way street. Electric cars are
quieter than conventional engines and theithey're increasing in
popularity. The world and his wife are talking on the phone or to each
other while they're waiting to cross. I'm a cane user but that's my
view.Tactile signals plus normal listening for all vehicles. I can't
stand cyclists, they never ring their bell and it's hard to hear them
over articulated vehicles. Sorry for the rant!

Very best wishes,
Sandra.

On 9/20/21, Kevan Worley via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Michael, exactly! I typically use audible pedestrian signals, I think they
> are now called accessible pedestrian signals. And that’s because they aren’t
> always audible. In fact I kind of like the ones that have the vibrating
> button and the audible. I tend to use audible traffic signals as my
> secondary source. In the same way I use non-blind people. You can’t always
> count on non-blind people to cross at the appropriate time. So, if the
> traffic pattern indicates that I can go and non-blind people go. That’s a
> pretty good indication that onyx won’t have to do a traffic check like all
> of you, I’m sure. I don’t really think it through that way. It’s just a part
> of how my brain now works as a blind traveler with a guide dog. In fact, if
> you guys are like me? I start listening to traffic patterns, probably about
> a half a block before I get to the next intersection. I don’t usually think
> much about it. But I know I do it that way. I live in Colorado Springs
> Colorado. And I now live downtown. So I’m pretty lucky! I do not have tons
> and tons of incredibly busy intersections with eight and 10 lanes of traffic
> with traffic islands and all of that. That’s what I had in my old
> neighborhood. Once I got out of the residential area to get anywhere was a
> true travel adventure! And I’m still alive! I’ve always enjoyed traveling as
> a person who is blind. I think there’s a little bit of an art to it if you
> do it well. On the other hand, my blind son Nijat. A cane user. At a good
> one. Once told me his strategy. Wait a cycle. And then if you can’t figure
> it out. Run! Crack me up. Safe travel y’all. Forward. Always forward!
>
> At Your Service,
> Kevan Worley
>
>> On Sep 20, 2021, at 1:32 PM, Michael Hingson via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>> APS can be helpful, but they will not and cannot replace you listening to
>> traffic. As Susan said, " It will signal you to cross when the traffic is
>> hopefully doing the right thing, and drivers should expect pedestrians to
>> cross". "Supposed" is the operative term here. As with sighted
>> pedestrians, blind pedestrians cannot and should not rely totally on APS.
>> All the signal tells you is that traffic direction should be in your
>> favor. Especially today where drivers are paying less and less attention
>> to pedestrian traffic we must be more vigilant.
>>
>> An APS can be especially helpful on a wide street as typically, with
>> signals on both sides of the street you can keep a better straight line
>> across the street. However again, you as the pedestrian need to pay most
>> attention to the traffic around you.
>>
>>
>> Best Regards,
>>
>>
>> Michael Hingson
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Susan Jones via NAGDU
>> Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 12:20 PM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: sblanjones11 at sbcglobal.net
>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] audible traffic signals
>>
>> Good issue for discussion.
>>
>> They now call them Accessible Pedestrian Signals, APS With a wide street
>> like that, you definitely need one.  It will signal you to cross when the
>> traffic is hopefully doing the right thing, and drivers should expect
>> pedestrians to cross.
>> ACB has done a lot more with APS's than has the NFB.  I lobbied for one
>> years ago, b/c we have a street in our neighborhood that is extremely
>> busy, but the side streets are not, so you don't get any paralel traffic
>> that would clue you that it's time to cross.
>> I feel much safer with that APS, though of course I listen for oncoming
>> traffic as well.
>>
>> Susan
>>
>> sblanjones11 at sbcglobal.net
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of rebecca.young1264---
>> via NAGDU
>> Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 2:55 PM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: rebecca.young1264 at outlook.com
>> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] audible traffic signals
>>
>> Good afternoon. I don’t have problems crossing the streets with just
>> normal listening to the traffic. However, where we live right now, we
>> crossed a major 8 Lane Highway to get to the other side of our street.
>> There is a push button light there, and I do use it. However the audible
>> signal would be nice, just to make things a little bit easier. Because my
>> parallel traffic is also A very busy street right there. Audible signals
>> in certain places sometimes just make things a little easier.
>>
>> Becky
>>
>>
>>> On Sep 20, 2021, at 1:44 PM, Richard via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi;
>>>
>>> Just wondering what people's thoughts are concerning audible or
>>> accessible traffic signals?  One magically appeared a few weeks ago at
>>> a crossing I found difficult.  Previously I wasn't a big fan listening
>>> to traffic should be enough.  I must admit that I have found them to
>>> be a  nice plus.  Never thought I'd say that.
>>>
>>> Richard
>>>
>>>
>>>
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