Hi,
I certainly think there are intersections where Audible Traffic Signals would be of benefit.
These would include four lane highways and unusual configured Intersections.
Signals which are not intrusive and which are clear would be beneficial in cases stated above.
They are certainly not necessary for most intersections.
I am sure that blind people who travel a lot and are really very independent with good Mobility Skills would probably have more to say on this.
Because of walking difficulties I have not traveled alone for many years. I have been with other people when we have encountered these chirping signals. I find them confusing and intrusive.
If we work on Quiet Cars that will go a long way toward helping the blind as well as others who travel by foot.
I hope someone else explains this better than I did.
I have never thought that signals which are confusing work well. 
My husband used to have to cross a street with four lanes. Most sighted people do not even attempt that crossing.
That is one street where an Audible traffic signal would have been helpful.
Colleen Roth


----- Original Message -----
From: Steve <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: 2009/08/08 16:24:45
Subject: Re: missed the point

>
>
> Colleen,
> 
> I'd certainly be interested in substantiation of your claim about audible 
> traffic signals.  It seems to me again that the NFB IS COUNTER-INTUITIVELY 
> taking the wrong position.  In the few intersections where I've had the 
> pleasure of encountering an audible traffic signal, they are most helpful.  If 
> you arrive at the intersection after the parallel traffic has started, you 
> know whether the "Walk" signal is still on, meaning you have time to traverse 
> the crossing without waiting through another cycle.  Some of the signals will 
> state the street name, which is sometimes helpful if you are in an unfamiliar 
> area and don't have access to a talking GPS SOLUTION. Finally, on low-traffic 
> parallel crossings, what with right-turn-on-red and even left-turn on red in 
> some intersections, there ae times when you wouldn't even know when the light 
> had changed until it would be too late to safely cross the intersection.
> 
>  And, furthermore, my question would be if sighted people have an indication 
> on when it is safe to walk, then why shouldn't the visually impaired?
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Colleen Roth" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 8:45 PM
> Subject: Re: missed the point
> 
> 
> I am proud to say that I have been a Member of the National Federation of the 
> Blind since 1972.
> While I probably would never drive a car even if I could I am sure that those 
> working on this Project would never consider driving a car in a Public Place 
> alongside the Sighted unless it was safe to do so.
> As for the Marking of money it is simply not necessary, would be very 
> expensive, and would make people feel that it would not be cost-effective to 
> hire blind people.
> As far as Traffic Signals which beep, chirp, etc. they are intrusive, not 
> reliable and defeat the Tenants of Safe Travel.
> As for Marks on a Subway Platform I am not sure that they would be very 
> effective in the snow.
> Why not use your energy supporting legislation to make cars more audible while 
> maintaining their fuel efficiency and working for Braille Literacy which are 
> two things the NFB IS DOING.
> Colleen Roth, N8TNV;
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Richard Scott <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Date: 2009/08/07 18:29:10
> Subject: Re: missed the point
> 
> >
> >
> > You go Boy!
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Terri Pannett" <[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Friday, August 07, 2009 12:27 PM
> > Subject: missed the point
> >
> >
> > > The NFB, IN MY OPINION, IS OFF ITS ROCKER!  They oppose things which would
> > > really help us, like the street signals, accessible dollar bills, and the
> > > marks on subway platforms, but they want us to drive cars!  Whoopee!
> > > Spend
> > > time and money on a dumb project like an adapted dune buggy so a person
> > > who
> > > is blind can drive a car!
> > >
> > > Aren't there enough sighted drivers on the road who shouldn't be driving?
> > > Drunk drivers, people on drugs, people who can't see well enough to drive,
> > > people who don't have quick reaction time, people who don't have full use
> > > of
> > > their bodies and minds, people who don't use the sense they've got people
> > > who are too old or too young to drive and you want to add the blind to
> > > this
> > > group?  The DMV IS A JOKE!  They let people drive who shouldn't be on the
> > > road!
> > >
> > > Is this project practical?  No!  Is it stupid?  Yes!  NFB SHOULD SUPPORT
> > > adaptive things which would be of practical use instead of wasting time on
> > > a
> > > dune buggy for the blind!
> > >
> > > Terri Amateur Radio call sign KF6CA.
> > >