White Plains is trying hard to meet the needs of the blind. They have installed those new crossing signals that tweet and chirp.
I have a lot of time to think of useless things such as these (hence this useless website) and realized that this new traffic thing is actually a really stupid thing. According to White Plains’ website, “The ‘chirp-chirp’ is for east-west crossing and the ‘cuckoo’ is for north south crossing. First of all, if you’re blind, how can you tell north from the south and east from west? How does a sightless know their directions? Secondly, most streets don’t go exactly north, south, east or west. So if you have a street going northeast and the bird signal is chirping, which intersection do you cross? Next, it costs like $6,000 per intersection to install this completely moronic device which is a waste of money. Finally, suppose there is a tree nearby and real birds are chirping the exact same pitch of the traffic signal? It happened while I was there and I was like “Wait those are real birds!” Honestly, it’s a wonder theses machines didn’t kill anyone yet (that I know of at least). I think a seeing eye dog will do the trick better then these sounds. I’m not blind and I still can’t figure these signals out (Even I don’t walk around with a compass) – imagine a blind person!!
I hope you do not misinterpret me. I’m all for technology that will help people live better lives and I have nothing against the blind. As a matter of fact, I’m trying to help the blind because this thing is going to get them killed.
Traffic Signals for the Blind
August 2, 2003
Useless Update
No Comments
Portfolioso
White Plains is trying hard to meet the needs of the blind. They have installed those new crossing signals that tweet and chirp.
I have a lot of time to think of useless things such as these (hence this useless website) and realized that this new traffic thing is actually a really stupid thing. According to White Plains’ website, “The ‘chirp-chirp’ is for east-west crossing and the ‘cuckoo’ is for north south crossing. First of all, if you’re blind, how can you tell north from the south and east from west? How does a sightless know their directions? Secondly, most streets don’t go exactly north, south, east or west. So if you have a street going northeast and the bird signal is chirping, which intersection do you cross? Next, it costs like $6,000 per intersection to install this completely moronic device which is a waste of money. Finally, suppose there is a tree nearby and real birds are chirping the exact same pitch of the traffic signal? It happened while I was there and I was like “Wait those are real birds!” Honestly, it’s a wonder theses machines didn’t kill anyone yet (that I know of at least). I think a seeing eye dog will do the trick better then these sounds. I’m not blind and I still can’t figure these signals out (Even I don’t walk around with a compass) – imagine a blind person!!
I hope you do not misinterpret me. I’m all for technology that will help people live better lives and I have nothing against the blind. As a matter of fact, I’m trying to help the blind because this thing is going to get them killed.