I'm going to forward this message to the Blind Like Me list. Please don't anyone else do it.
Regards. Max. K 4 O D S. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Transistor site http://www.funwithtransistors.net Vacuum tube site: http://www.funwithtubes.net Music site: http://www.maxsmusicplace.com To subscribe to the fun with tubes group send an email to, [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lenny McHugh" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "handyman-blind" <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 10:21 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] One time off topic post, new Crosswalk Safety System for Visually Impaired >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 > > > ------------------------------------ > > Send any questions regarding list management to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To listen to the show archives go to link > http://www.acbradio.org/pweb/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=33&MMN_position=47:29 > Or > ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ > > The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. > http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday > > Visit The Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various > List Members At The Following address: > http://www.jaws-users.com/JAWS/handyman/ > > Visit the archives page at the following address > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > > If you would like to join the JAWS Users List, then visit the following > address for more information: > http://www.jaws-users.com/ > For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man > list just send a blank message to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] Groups Links > > > >
