[nfbmi-talk] one aps primer

[joe harcz Comcast]

How about a laser pointer that destroys all oncoming traffic? Just kidding 
sort of...
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fred Olver" <goodfolks at charter.net>
To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 10:45 AM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] one aps primer


> Christine, it would make more sense I think to use a transmitter or more 
> than one at an intersection which could transmit the information to the 
> individual via I-Phone or android to get them the information they would 
> need. I am exploring this concept for indoor travel at office complexes, 
> stadiums convention centers and malls.
>
>
> Fred Olver
>
>
>
> Author of Dealing with Vision Loss
>
>
>
> have a look it just makes sense.
>
> http://www.dealingwithvisionloss.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Christine Boone" <christineboone2 at gmail.com>
> To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 8:52 AM
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] one aps primer
>
>
>> Joe I cannot disagree with anything you say here. I wish I were an 
>> engineer for perhaps then I could devise ann APS that truly would provide 
>> us with the same information that is available to sighted folks without 
>> introducing conflicting sounds into the environment to compete with those 
>> we use for safe travel. I still believe that the hand-held receiver holds 
>> promise, for it could be equipped with tactile readings for people with 
>> hearing loss. It could even include a tactile compass that could point to 
>> the corner across the street with the walk signal. Each blind traveler 
>> could then exercise his or her choice about how much of the available 
>> information they used or ignored.  I would like to take this kind of 
>> concept to the Department of Transportation.
>>
>> These are just the thoughts of an old travel instructor who is passionate 
>> about leveling the playing field for blind people. .
>>
>> Boone Christine Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Aug 27, 2013, at 6:10 AM, "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net> 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Chris and All,
>>>
>>> The issue of appropriately designed APS versus appropriate instruction 
>>> in travel is not a zero sum game anymore than is the requirement for 
>>> raised character and Braille signage on permanent rooms is so. In other 
>>> words we can and should have both.
>>>
>>> The sighted world takes information delivery (i.e. ped signals and 
>>> signs) for granted and does not feel diminished one with.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Now I'm not talking about having an aps on every corner here, but am 
>>> talking about equivalency. And where there is a ped signal it can, and 
>>> should be accessible to all including, we the blind.
>>>
>>>
>>> I've been very passionate about these issues, as all know for years, for 
>>> to me it is a matter, again of civil and equal rights; equal protection 
>>> under law.
>>>
>>>
>>> Now, that said there is not now, nor has there ever been from me an 
>>> argument that the cuckoos are not just cuckoo. They don't offer 
>>> equivalency. They are annoying. And they simply often are not helpful 
>>> either.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Plus they kind of make us look silly.
>>>
>>> Whoever invented them didn't do proponents of aps any favors for sure.
>>>
>>> Nor, again do I disagree what you and Doug h have written on travel, 
>>> etc.
>>>
>>> Another reason for aps though has been stated upon this list for as we 
>>> all age often hearing and other innate mobility tools begin to break 
>>> down.
>>>
>>> One of my old colleagues from New Hampshire was the best cane traveler I 
>>> ever knew and a true mentor to me with his independence. A long time 
>>> Federationist he was also a long time proponent for appropriate aps 
>>> because he was losing his hearing abilities, or at least had some age 
>>> related loss and he also dealt with the elderly blind on a daily basis.
>>>
>>> Thus our New Hampshire NFB delegation always worked in favor of aps, 
>>> including at NFB conventions in the late nineties.
>>>
>>> Again though it isn't a matter of one or the other, but, rather both in 
>>> my mind.
>>>
>>>
>>> When it comes to specific crossings I must examine them. But, again look 
>>> at the issue of room labeling, or lack thereof for blind folks. If 
>>> sighted folks in a hotel or school or state building get to know at 
>>> first instance what the room is then why not us?
>>>
>>> And grinning here, I would not wish for the room to be labeled with a 
>>> cuckoo sound, but rather with raised character and Braille signage that 
>>> says precisely what it says to the sighted.
>>>
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Christine Boone" 
>>> <christineboone2 at gmail.com>
>>> To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Cc: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Monday, August 26, 2013 1:17 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] one aps primer
>>>
>>>
>>>> Those signals described here by Joe are by far the most effective and 
>>>> least intrusive kinds of accessible pedestrian signals.
>>>>
>>>> Boone Christine Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>> On Aug 26, 2013, at 5:36 AM, "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net> 
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Accessible Pedestrian Signals
>>>>> Authors: Lloyd Rue and Janet Barlow
>>>>> Untitled-96-425APS_P1070847_croppedC:\Users\lloyd.rue\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary 
>>>>> Internet Files\Content.Word\P1080327_cropped.jpg  Description
>>>>> Accessible pedestrian signals (APS) provide audible and/or 
>>>>> vibrotactile information
>>>>> coincident with visual pedestrian indications. Loud audible tones 
>>>>> during the walk interval
>>>>> from across the street (such as the commonly used cuckoo-cheep 
>>>>> speakers mounted
>>>>> on the pedestrian signal head) are not necessary, or useful, in most 
>>>>> situations. New
>>>>> types of APS, now required for U.S. installations, provide the audible 
>>>>> WALK indication
>>>>> from a speaker located at the pushbutton, at a volume audible
>>>>> only six to twelve feet from the pushbutton. Installing the APS
>>>>> devices in separated locations on each corner, near each
>>>>> crosswalk line furthest from the center of the intersection,
>>>>> assists in determining which signal is sounding. The audible
>>>>> indication is either a rapid ticking sound or a speech message;
>>>>> a tactile arrow also vibrates during the WALK indication. The
>>>>> audible and vibrotactile signals let pedestrians know,
>>>>> particularly those with vision impairments or vision and hearing
>>>>> impairments, when the walk interval begins. An additional quiet
>>>>> tone, a pushbutton locator tone, repeats continuously once per
>>>>> second during flashing and steady DON’T WALK to assist
>>>>> pedestrians who are blind in knowing that there is a pushbutton
>>>>> and in locating the push button. The APS device also includes
>>>>> a tactile arrow aligned with the direction of travel on the crosswalk 
>>>>> to provide directional
>>>>> information. APS can also provide a customized speech message 
>>>>> identifying the street
>>>>> or crossing or additional information about signalization or geometry 
>>>>> of the intersection.
>>>>> Courtesy of Janet Barlow
>>>>> Benefits
>>>>> APS can provide information to pedestrians about the presence and 
>>>>> location of a
>>>>> pushbutton. The audible information provides unambiguous information 
>>>>> about the
>>>>> WALK indication and which crossing is being signaled, if installed 
>>>>> properly, to those who
>>>>> are unable to see the WALK.
>>>>> Considerations
>>>>> Volume of APS should be carefully adjusted and controlled. APS that 
>>>>> automatically
>>>>> adjust in response to ambient sound levels are now required by the 
>>>>> MUTCD when APS
>>>>> are installed. If not adjusted properly, sounds produced by APS may 
>>>>> disturb neighbors
>>>>> and prevent pedestrians who are visually impaired from hearing the 
>>>>> traffic sounds,
>>>>> which they need to hear in addition to the APS.
>>>>> See Accessible Pedestrian Signals: A Guide to Best Practices1 at 
>>>>> www.apsguide.org provides extensive information on uses of APS by 
>>>>> pedestrians who are blind or visually
>>>>> impaired, a tool for prioritizing installation locations, and 
>>>>> information on various features
>>>>> of APS including audible beaconing,. Audible beaconing refers to 
>>>>> providing a louder signal from the opposite side of the street to 
>>>>> provide directional information. Audible
>>>>> beaconing should be used only where necessary; Additional research on 
>>>>> audible
>>>>> beaconing is ongoing.2, 3 . Careful installation is also very 
>>>>> important to proper
>>>>> functioning of the devices. In addition to the APS guide, Common 
>>>>> Problems arising in
>>>>> the installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals4 provides 
>>>>> installation information and
>>>>> guidance.
>>>>> The 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)5 includes 
>>>>> standards and
>>>>> guidance for APS and APS detector (pushbutton) placement in sections 
>>>>> 4E.09 through
>>>>> 4E.13 Section 4E.08 provides new standards and guidance on the 
>>>>> placement of all
>>>>> pedestrian detectors, and figures 4E-3 and 4E-4 show typical 
>>>>> pushbutton locations.
>>>>> On July 26, 2011, the U.S. Access Board released for public comment 
>>>>> proposed
>>>>> guidelines for accessible public rights-of-way, Proposed Accessibility 
>>>>> Guidelines for
>>>>> Pedestrian Facilities in the Public Right-of-Way.6 As indicated in the 
>>>>> preamble to the
>>>>> notice of proposed rule, the guidelines provide design criteria for 
>>>>> public streets and
>>>>> sidewalks, including pedestrian access routes, street crossings, curb 
>>>>> ramps and
>>>>> blended transitions, on-street parking, street furniture, and other 
>>>>> elements. The
>>>>> specifications comprehensively address access that accommodates all 
>>>>> types of
>>>>> disabilities, including mobility and vision impairments, while taking 
>>>>> into account
>>>>> conditions and constraints that may impact compliance, such as space 
>>>>> limitations and
>>>>> terrain.
>>>>> The guidelines, once finalized and implemented as standards, will 
>>>>> apply to newly
>>>>> constructed or altered portions of public rights-of-way covered by the 
>>>>> Americans with
>>>>> Disabilities Act (ADA). They will also apply to public rights-of-way 
>>>>> built or altered with
>>>>> funding from the Federal government under the Architectural Barriers 
>>>>> Act (ABA) and the
>>>>> Rehabilitation Act. Existing pedestrian networks not undergoing 
>>>>> alteration will not be
>>>>> required to meet these requirements. The rights-of-way guidelines 
>>>>> complement, and in
>>>>> some areas, reference the Board's ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines 
>>>>> for buildings
>>>>> and facilities.
>>>>> These guidelines and additional information can be found at 
>>>>> www.access-board.gov under Public Rights-of-Way. Portions of the 
>>>>> applicable standard are shown below:6  R209 Accessible Pedestrian 
>>>>> Signals and Pedestrian Pushbuttons
>>>>> R209.1 General. Where pedestrian signals are provided at pedestrian 
>>>>> street
>>>>> crossings, they shall include accessible pedestrian signals and 
>>>>> pedestrian
>>>>> pushbuttons complying with sections 4E.08 through 4E.13 of the MUTCD
>>>>> (incorporated by reference, see R104.2). Operable parts shall comply 
>>>>> with R403.
>>>>> Advisory R209 Accessible Pedestrian Signals and Pedestrian 
>>>>> Pushbuttons.
>>>>> An accessible pedestrian signal and pedestrian pushbutton is an 
>>>>> integrated
>>>>> device that communicates information about the WALK and DON’T WALK
>>>>> intervals at signalized intersections in non-visual formats (i.e., 
>>>>> audible tones and
>>>>> vibrotactile surfaces) to pedestrians who are blind or have low 
>>>>> vision.
>>>>> R209.2 Alterations. Existing pedestrian signals shall comply with 
>>>>> R209.1 when
>>>>> the signal controller and software are altered, or the signal head is 
>>>>> replaced.
>>>>> Required language for speech WALK messages and pushbutton information 
>>>>> messages
>>>>> is provided in the MUTCD. Some of the research that led to those 
>>>>> requirements can be
>>>>> found in an Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Journal 
>>>>> article.7
>>>>> Early Adopters/Case Studies
>>>>> From APS: A guide to best practice1, with updated information for this 
>>>>> report.
>>>>> 1. Portland, Oregon
>>>>> a. Portland began installing APS in late 1970s.8
>>>>> b. As of December 2011, APS have been installed at 148 intersections; 
>>>>> that
>>>>> amounts to more than 35% of the total intersection locations with
>>>>> pedestrian detection. 75 of those are equipped with the new APS with
>>>>> push button locater tones.
>>>>> 2. Maryland Department of Transportation9
>>>>> a. Maryland is installing pushbutton-integrated APS at all 
>>>>> intersections with
>>>>> pedestrian signals by 2015. APS are installed during construction or
>>>>> reconstruction of intersections. A prioritization checklist is used to 
>>>>> rate
>>>>> intersections where APS are requested (when no construction is planned
>>>>> at that location).
>>>>> b. 394 APS projects were completed by January 2009; design was 
>>>>> underway
>>>>> for approximately 450 more intersections.
>>>>> 3. Charlotte, North Carolina
>>>>> a. Installations began in the year 1999
>>>>> b. APS have been installed at 59 intersections, as of December 2011, 
>>>>> with
>>>>> 15 more planned in the succeeding six-month period.
>>>>> 4. San Francisco, California
>>>>> a. As a result of a negotiated agreement with the California Council 
>>>>> of the
>>>>> Blind, in June 2007, San Francisco committed to install accessible
>>>>> pedestrian signals at no fewer than 80 intersections over the next two 
>>>>> and
>>>>> a half years. As of December 2011, 125 intersection installations have
>>>>> been completed.
>>>>> Cost to implement
>>>>> $1000 to $10,000 estimated per crosswalk (2009 estimates), as a 
>>>>> feature added to an
>>>>> existing intersection not equipped with APS. The variability in the 
>>>>> estimated cost to
>>>>> implement is due to the variations in the amount of electrical or 
>>>>> construction work
>>>>> needed to place devices and pushbutton poles in appropriate locations. 
>>>>> However, if the
>>>>> 2009 MUTCD guidance for location of all pushbutton poles is followed, 
>>>>> pushbuttons will
>>>>> be in the proper location for APS installation, so the costs should be 
>>>>> lower. APS
>>>>> devices average $600. per device.
>>>>>  Illustrations
>>>>> Audible and vibrotactile pushbuttons,
>>>>> ref. 1
>>>>> Optimal location of pushbutton-integrated APS, ref. 1
>>>>> Photos courtesy of Janet Barlow, Accessible Design for the Blind, 
>>>>> Asheville, NC
>>>>> References
>>>>> 1. Harkey, D.L., Carter, D.L., Barlow, J.M. & Bentzen, B.L. Accessible 
>>>>> pedestrian
>>>>> signals: A guide to best practice. National Cooperative Highway 
>>>>> Research
>>>>> Program Web-Only Document 150, Washington, DC: National Cooperative
>>>>> Highway Research Program. (2007) www.apsguide.org
>>>>> 2. Harkey, D.L., Carter, D.L., Barlow, J.M., Bentzen, B.L., Myers, L. 
>>>>> & Scott, A.
>>>>> Guidelines for accessible pedestrian signals final report. Contractor’s 
>>>>> Final
>>>>> Report for NCHRP Project 3-62, National Cooperative Highway Research
>>>>> Program Web-Only Document 117B, Washington, DC: National Cooperative
>>>>> Highway Research Program. (2007)
>>>>> 3. Barlow, J.M., Scott, A.C., Bentzen, B.L. Audible Beaconing with 
>>>>> Accessible
>>>>> Pedestrian Signals. AER Journal: Research and Practice in Visual 
>>>>> Impairment
>>>>> and Blindness, Vol. 2, Number 4, (2009): 149 – 158. [NIHMS167632]
>>>>> 4. Barlow, J.M. Common problems arising in the installation of 
>>>>> accessible
>>>>> pedestrian signals. U.S. Access Board, Washington, D.C., (2009) 
>>>>> http://access-
>>>>> board.gov/research/pedestrian-signals/bulletin.htm
>>>>> 5. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. 
>>>>> Manual on
>>>>> Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2009 Edition. ATSSA/ITE/AASHTO 
>>>>> (2010). http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/. 6. U.S. Access Board. Proposed 
>>>>> Accessibility Guidelines for Pedestrian Facilities in
>>>>> the Public Right-of-Way. Washington, D.C.: Architectural and 
>>>>> Transportation
>>>>> Barriers Compliance Board. (2011). http://www.access-
>>>>> board.gov/prowac/nprm.pdf 7. Bentzen, B.L., Barlow, J.M. and Franck, 
>>>>> L. Speech Messages for Accessible
>>>>> Pedestrian Signals. ITE Journal, 74-9, (2004): 20-24.
>>>>> 8. Kloos, B. Briefing Paper on Intersection Traffic Control Wayfinding 
>>>>> Cues at
>>>>> Intersections Workshop; accessed December 2011 
>>>>> http://www.ite.org/accessible/curbramp/Kloos_%20Briefing.pdf 9. 
>>>>> Maryland State Highway Administration. Americans with Disabilities Act 
>>>>> (ADA)
>>>>> Quarterly Report to FHWA (January 2009); accessed December 2011 
>>>>> http://www.sha.maryland.gov/opr/FHWA_Report_Jan_09_FINAL.pdf. Related 
>>>>> Publications:
>>>>> Ashmead, D.H., Wall, R.S., Bentzen, B.L., & Barlow, J. M. Which 
>>>>> crosswalk? Effects of
>>>>> accessible pedestrian signal characteristics. ITE Journal, 74-9, 
>>>>> (2004): 26-31:
>>>>> Barlow, J.M., & Franck, L. Crossroads: Modern interactive 
>>>>> intersections and accessible
>>>>> pedestrian signals. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness. Vol 
>>>>> 99, (10), (2005):
>>>>> 599-610.
>>>>> Barlow, J.M., Bentzen, B.L. & Bond, T. Blind pedestrians and the 
>>>>> changing technology and
>>>>> geometry of signalized intersections: Safety, orientation and 
>>>>> independence. Journal of
>>>>> Visual Impairment and Blindness. Vol. 99:10, (2005): 587-598.
>>>>> Barlow, J. M. Common Problems Arising in the Installation of 
>>>>> Accessible Pedestrian Signals.
>>>>> Washington, DC: U.S. Access Board, (2009).
>>>>> Bentzen, B.L., Barlow, J.M. & Bond, T. Challenges of Unfamiliar 
>>>>> Signalized
>>>>> Intersections for Pedestrians who are Blind: Research on Safety. 
>>>>> Transportation
>>>>> Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 1878, 
>>>>> (2004):
>>>>> 51 -57.
>>>>> Bentzen, B.L., Scott, A.C., & Barlow, J.M. Accessible pedestrian 
>>>>> signals: Effect of device
>>>>> features. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the 
>>>>> Transportation Research
>>>>> Board, No. 1982. (2006): 30-37.
>>>>> Carter, D.L., Harkey, D.L., Bentzen, B.L., & Barlow, J.M. Development 
>>>>> of an intersection
>>>>> prioritization tool for accessible pedestrian signal installation. 
>>>>> Transportation Research
>>>>> Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1982, 
>>>>> (2006): 13-20.
>>>>> Marston, J.R. and Golledge, R.G. Towards an accessible city: Removing 
>>>>> functional
>>>>> barriers for the blind and vision impaired: A Case for Auditory Signs. 
>>>>> Final
>>>>> Report. University of California Berkeley: University of California 
>>>>> Transportation
>>>>> Center. (2000)
>>>>> Noyce, D.A. and Barlow, J.M. Interfacing Accessible Pedestrian Signals 
>>>>> with Traffic
>>>>> Signal Control Equipment. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Access Board. (2003)
>>>>> Accessed at www.access-board.gov
>>>>> Noyce, D.A., Gates, T.J. & Barlow, J.M. Pedestrian and bicyclist 
>>>>> safety at intersections, In
>>>>> Toolbox on intersection safety and design. Washington, DC: Institute 
>>>>> of Transportation
>>>>> Engineers, (2004).
>>>>> Scott, A.C., Barlow, J. M., Bentzen, B.L., Bond, T.L.Y. & Gubbe, D. 
>>>>> Accessible pedestrian
>>>>> signals at complex intersections: Effects on blind pedestrians. 
>>>>> Transportation Research
>>>>> Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2073, 
>>>>> (2008): 94–103.
>>>>> Scott, A.C., Myers, L., Barlow, J.M., and Bentzen, B.L. Accessible 
>>>>> pedestrian signals:
>>>>> The effect of pushbutton location and audible WALK indications on 
>>>>> pedestrian
>>>>> behavior. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the 
>>>>> Transportation
>>>>> Research Board, No. 1939, (2006): 69-76.
>>>>> Wall, R.S., Ashmead, D.H., Bentzen, B.L., & Barlow, J. Directional 
>>>>> guidance from
>>>>> audible pedestrian signals for street crossing. Ergonomics. (2004): 
>>>>> Vol. 47, (12),
>>>>> 1318 – 1338.
>>>>> Williams, M., Van Houten, R., Blasch, B., Ferraro, J. Field comparison 
>>>>> of two types of
>>>>> accessible pedestrian signals. Transportation Research Record: Journal 
>>>>> of the
>>>>> Transportation Research Board, No. 1939, (2005): 91-98.
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nfbmi-talk mailing list
>>>>> nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>>>>> nfbmi-talk:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/christineboone2%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nfbmi-talk mailing list
>>>> nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>>>> nfbmi-talk:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/joeharcz%40comcast.net
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nfbmi-talk mailing list
>>> nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>>> nfbmi-talk:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/christineboone2%40gmail.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nfbmi-talk mailing list
>> nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> nfbmi-talk:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/goodfolks%40charter.net
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nfbmi-talk mailing list
> nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nfbmi-talk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/joeharcz%40comcast.net
>