[NAGDU] audible traffic signals

Tue Sep 21 15:41:29 UTC 2021

		Sandra is right, you can't hear the electric cars when they idle. You can't smell them either. We have an electric car and it took me awhile to get my head around that, my husband can be waiting for me, I'll listen for a car that "sounds familiar" a technique I've used since I was a kid only to have that technique not work anymore. 
I also can't hear when the car is running when I'm in it and we are still, like we'll park someplace and sometimes he's forgotten to turn off the car. He does this with gas vehicles too and I'll be like "Hey dumbass" or I'll just reach over and turn it off but this also doesn't work with electric cars. 

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sandra Gayer via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, September 20, 2021 6:31 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sandra Gayer <sandragayer7 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] audible traffic signals

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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