h a l f b a k e r yLike gliding backwards through porridge.
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A giant radio loop is buried in the road for the 50 yards or so in
each
direction leading up to a traffic light. The loop transmits a pulse
on
one of several frequencies, depending on the state of the light
(i.e.
red, yellow, red with right turn green arrow, etc.) which can be
picked up
by a receiver in the vehicle. The receiver then verbally
announces the light's current status. This way, traffic signals can
become accessible to the blind.
Alternatively, the signal status information could be passed to a
Braille display embedded in the periphery of the steering wheel.
[link]
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I like the idea mostly because it becomes a step
towards self driving cars. I would argue that the
pavement loop isn't required, as a directional
transmitter pointing out and down from the light
itself should also serve. |
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//a directional transmitter pointing out and down from the
light// |
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I had considered that, but was concerned that it might not
be as reliable—the signal path might be blocked by a large
truck, say. Also, with two lights in close proximity, the
signals might be prone to interfering with each other. |
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I would recommend a bit of other data be included
with that signal: how many seconds remaining until
the light changes. Then, if this data was received by
a car approaching the light, the driver (or future
autopilot) could be informed on what speed to travel
at, to arrive when the light becomes green. |
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Hmm, thinking about the loop, why not just make a bigger loop and get the cars to circle in that until the light turns green? |
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How about using different wavelengths of visible light to represent the different signal states? |
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Would you not be able to transmit on the loop that's
already in the road for vehicle detection? |
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It doesn't go back far enough, unfortunately. The
driver wouldn't be able to find out what the state of
the light is until it's potentially too late to do anything
about it. |
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// This way, traffic signals can become accessible to the blind. // |
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Redundant ... there is already a perfectly useable audio indication signal. It's the sound of metal being crushed, torn and twisted - it's very distictive, you can't miss it ... |
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