[Nfbf-l] Fw: [fcb-l] FW: New app to guide visually impaired pedestrians thruwork zones

[Sherri]

Saw this and thought it might be interesting to those of you with iPhones.
Sherri
subjct: FW: New app to guide visually impaired pedestrians thruwork zones


APP TO GUIDE VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEDESTRIANS THRU WORK ZONES

-> According to a September CTS Catalyst newsletter article, "Navigating 
sidewalks and intersections affected by road construction can be challenging 
for all pedestrians, but it's especially difficult for those who are blind 
or visually impaired. To help these pedestrians find their way safely, 
University of Minnesota researchers have developed a smartphone app that can 
detect upcoming work zones and provide routing instructions. The project, 
funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)...

"The app builds on a previously developed smartphone-based system that was 
designed to provide visually impaired pedestrians with geometric and signal 
timing information at signalized intersections... The app uses Bluetooth 
beacons—which can be attached to signs, posts, or construction barriers in a 
work zone—that communicate with the GPS receiver on a user's smartphone. 
When a beacon is detected, the phone vibrates and provides an audio message. 
The message includes the pedestrian's current location, the location of the 
work zone, and suggested routing instructions. The user can tap the 
smartphone to have the message repeated...

"In addition, the research team has received funding from the Roadway Safety 
Institute (RSI) to expand the project by creating a 'condition aware' 
infrastructure that can be integrated with the smartphone app. The goal is a 
system that can self-monitor and keep the information it broadcasts to app 
users as up-to-date as possible... The team expects the app to be available 
to the public following the completion of the RSI-funded project."

Source: http://bit.ly/1tYRdPR
Title & Author: "Improving work-zone safety for visually impaired 
pedestrians" by Staff




Darla Letourneau

BikeWalkLee

A coalition working to complete Lee County's streets

dletourneau at bikewalklee.org

239-850-3219

www.BikeWalkLee.org

http://bikewalklee.blogspot.com