Hi all, taken from another list but hopefully will be introduced in the UK.
"Subject: Accessible Devices Press Release: New Cross Walk Safety System For The Visually Impaired This is the first we've heard of this and we have no further information. 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."" you can contact me on: email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] skype debs1965 msn: [EMAIL PROTECTED] aim screen name wadham house Vonage phone No: 01392 346351 Mobile: 07930 332608 __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3594 (20081107) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
