A few weeks ago there was a thread about being able to locate traffic crossings. I just received this information and want to pass it along. Please there is no need for further discussion on list about this.
----- Original Message ----- Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 11:15 PM Subject: New Crosswalk Safety System for Visually Impaired As described in the press release below, scientists are developing a system that will make it much safer for the visually impaired to cross the street at crosswalks. The system allows them to activate the crossing button remotely, warns them when they are not in the designated crosswalk space, and stops traffic should they stray into dangerous areas. And this is all accomplished with their existing cellular phone. I thought the news of this system might fit well for your publication and be of interest to your audience. Feel free to use said press release in any way you see fit. If you would like more information, or to speak with the people involved, please let me know. Cheers Ken Kingery Science/Research Writer University of Idaho Office: 208-885-9156 Cell: 614-570-3942 Oct. 30, 2008 Media Contact: Ken Kingery, University Communications, (208) 885-9156, <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [EMAIL PROTECTED] Photos are available at <http://www.today.uidaho.edu/PhotoList.aspx> www.today.uidaho.edu/PhotoList.aspx Written by Ken Kingery Developing the Corner of Blind Avenue and Safety Way MOSCOW, Idaho - For the 21.2 million Americans who suffer from vision loss, crossing the street can be a stressful and potentially dangerous proposition. Thanks to engineers at the University of Idaho, many visually impaired individuals soon may have a greatly reduced risk thanks to a tool already in their pockets - their cell phone. The statistics for vision loss, provided by the American Foundation for the Blind, include anyone reporting difficulty seeing, even while wearing glasses or contact lenses. No matter the level of visual impairment, many conditions - including visual noise, walking at night and irregular intersections - can result in missing a crosswalk. Regardless of conditions, the new system being developed in Moscow, Idaho, will make intersections safer and easier to navigate. "Minute for minute on the road, any pedestrian is 150 percent more likely to be injured by a car than somebody driving one," said Richard Wall, professor of electrical and computer engineering. "But it is pretty apparent that the blind pedestrians are the ones most at risk at intersections." The new technology utilizes features already available in many cellular phones, including communications, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) functions and magnetic compasses to help visually impaired pedestrians. Specialized software allows these pedestrians to activate the crossing signal remotely without having to locate the physical button. Then, the GPS system monitors the position and direction of travel while crossing. As long as the crosser stays within the crosswalk, nothing happens. But stray outside the lines, and an audible warning activates alerting the pedestrian of their danger. It then provides directions on how to get back within the safety zone. Should the walker somehow end up in the middle of the intersection, the system automatically would turn every light red, stopping traffic and averting a potential disaster. "It's true that this would disrupt the timing of the signal patterns when it gets activated," said Wall. "But we would much rather disrupt them for a few seconds than for a half hour while an ambulance assists a traffic victim." To ensure people don't trigger the alarm just for fun, only those who need the help would be able to acquire the necessary software. The system requires more than software, however. It also requires the installation of new hardware in thousands of lights across the country. Luckily, Wall and his team have found a solution that not only is cost effective, it simplifies the existing system. Many crosswalks currently have handicapped-assisted signals that provide help such as audio tones indicating when it is safe to cross. However, the box that controls the intersection contains a massive amount of wiring. This is necessary to connect each actuator with each signal so at any given time, the control box knows each state. Wall's new system simplifies each box to only two wires, both already required to power the signals. It uses a technology called Ethernet over power line, which allows information to be broadcast over power lines. The future is clear for Wall and his research team. They have established dates to deliver the engineering and expect field trials to commence in June. They are building prototypes supported by funds from the University Transportation Centers program, Idaho's Higher Education Research Council and their commercial partner, Campbell Company, who currently makes the accessible pedestrian signals that chirp and talk for the handicapped. "The signals we're building are more than prototypes. These devices actually can go into the field and work today," said Wall. "We're using existing infrastructure and communicating intelligence over it. It's cost effective, it simplifies the connection to two wires and it can be immediately installed in all the existing crosswalks in the country." __________ NOD32 3588 (20081105) Information __________ This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. http://www.eset.com
