fascinating new traffic light technology

[Chiropteran]

Not sure if this is out in all areas yet.

Anyway, I was walking back to the office today and I noticed a funny sound comming from the stop lights. It sounded kinda like a bird chirping, but it was clearly an artificial sound. It took me a moment to put things together, but then I realized the sound came on every time the "cross" light came on.

At first I was puzzeled, it didn't make much sense. I can clearly see the "cross" signal light, hearing the sound didn't really offer anything beyond what I could see with my eyes. Then it dawned on me! It's for the blind.

Apparently here in VA they are working on making the roads safe for blind drivers! I should have seen the connection right away, because I have noticed brail at the drive-thru ATMs.

The sound is to warn blind drivers that pedestrians are crossing the crosswalk!

 

[QurazyQuisp]

Yup, all that just for blind drivers....

ROFL

 

[ElFenix]

i hope to god i'm missing the sarchasm here

 

[JoeKing]

In hong kong they play an irritable tune to tell people to walk.

 

[Riverhound777]

They have those here in CA, its for blind people using the crosswalk....

 

[LordSnailz]

hehe, we have those here too in norcal but I dont' think it's for the blind drivers

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: Riverhound777
They have those here in CA, its for blind people using the crosswalk....

thats what i thought they were for....not blind drivers!

 

[loup garou]

Man I hope you're joking...

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

they've had those since at LEAST the late 1970s.

 

[Aharami]

u sure its for blind drivers and not for blind pedestrians?

 

[Epic Fail]

The inventor of the technology should get a nobel prize, blind drivers can drive safely now.

 

[JoeKing]

Originally posted by: loup garou
Man I hope you're joking...

no I'm JoeKing :|!

 

[Alienwho]

I've noticed these for atleast 10 years. Welcome to the mid-90's my friend.

 

[lokiju]

For da blind, been around for awhile in some areas.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: JoeKing

Originally posted by: loup garou
Man I hope you're joking...

no I'm JoeKing :|!

How can we know for sure after last night's cookie shenanigans? :shocked:

 

[spacejamz]

this was probably invented by the same guy who invented the braille keypad on drive thru ATM's...

 

[HN]

sure, cater to the blind drivers. but what about the blind AND deaf? what are they to do? simply go by the feel of human flesh thudding off their 3000 lb vehicle of doom?

 

[SagaLore]

Made for the blind, confusing the deaf.

 

[waggy]

about time they help blind drivers! so many damn haters of the blind.

 

[jtvang125]

Originally posted by: spacejamz
this was probably invented by the same guy who invented the braille keypad on drive thru ATM's...

Maybe you have a passenger that's blind?

 

[thebigdude]

So the blind passenger can backseat drive based on the beeping sounds now? That's dumb.

These beeping crosswalks have been around forever. Talk about a noise that gets really annoying really quickly.

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: Riverhound777
They have those here in CA, its for blind people using the crosswalk....

No way, blind people walking across a busy street alone? They could walk the wrong direction and get hit by a car, or trip on the curb, or something. The idea of blind people crossing the street alone is just too crazy, I don't buy it. My explanation is a lot more reasonable.

 

[eelw]

Been here on some Toronto intersections for a long time now.