[tabi] Re: an idea for Nova 2010

This past Monday, November 2 from 11 to abot 1 the Lighthouse of the Big Bend 
hosted another Star Metro NOVA 2010 meeting.  The usual suspects were there. 

Also star metro reps said they would have a driver training session sometime in 
December to make the bus drivers more aware of issues that blind and other 
wheelchair users have using the bus. 

As for your idea Sometimes we look for a highteck salution to a low tech 
problem. 

Miss From: Easy Talk 
  To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2009 7:22 AM
  Subject: [tabi] Re: an idea for Nova 2010


  What meeting was it.  Were Star Metro people there?  I think this approach 
would work especially if the city used a particular sign design that  was 
recognized tactually.
     We  still have the problem of locating audible signals and the best way I 
have heard of is beeping locater buttons.

    Now chip ref the message you posted about the vibrating receivers.  I have 
been working with a company called Bones Inc located in Switzerland who make a 
product called Milestone m312.  It is a very small device weighing 1.4 ounces.  
It is a digital recorder, MP3 player, Daisy player and there are certain models 
with a FM radio and RFID reader.  The unit is designed to allow for additional 
features, for example soon a color identifier attachment will be released that 
will identify colors and also give descriptions of the pattern.  The RFID 
reader allows you to scan a RFID tag and attach a recorded message which can be 
shared with other users.  The tags are about a buck a peace and they have them 
for out doors and even ones that can be frozen.

    Anyway back to my point.  Bones is also developing a transit system and is 
testing in 3 locations in Switzerland.  below is the info.  I am also 
considering distributing this product in the u.s so any feedback would be 
appreciated.  You can read more about the company and the Milestone M312 at
    www.bones.ch

    Robert

    PAVIP Transport
    PAVIP Transport is an information and navigational system in the public 
transport
    for visually handicapped people. The following idea of a user experience 
with PAVIP
    Transport gives you an impression of how this system shall help its users:
    You reach a bus stop and grab your Milestone 312 with the PAVIP module. You 
scan
    over the front of the time table and receive acoustically the information 
at which
    bus station you are, which bus lines will stop here, when they appear, what 
the location
    around you looks like and much more information. You open the point "bus 
lines" on
    your M312 and choose the line number 7 to the train station. When the bus 
line 7
    is 100m in front of your station, you receive a signal acoustically or over 
vibration
    that your bus is near. The bus stops in front of you. With a push of a 
button on
    M312 you open the door of the bus. A discreet acoustic signal from the bus 
entry
    helps you to locate and find the bus door. While sitting on the bus you get 
connected
    to the bus system. You have now further information available on your M312, 
as for
    example which is the next bus station. You can also look ahead and request 
all the
    following stops of your line 7. If you come to know that the next station 
is yours,
    you can activate the bus stop request over Milestone and when it arrives, 
again activate
    the acoustic help to find the door. If necessary the system can also give 
out information
    about the design of the bus, for example hurdles (steps) when you exit. Or 
in the
    train where the toilets are or the diner. When you have left the bus you 
can again
    scan the time table. You can inform yourself about further bus connections 
or just
    get some information about the area around you.
    This PAVIP system is an important concern of Bones Inc. The idea is to 
launch a standard
    system for public transport and to make the same information available for 
visually
    impaired and blind people as sighted people have. We see this as an 
important piece
    of the puzzle of navigation. A first trial of this capacious project was 
developed
    in the city of St.Gallen in Switzerland. The appropriate infrastructure has 
been
    built up for the local bus network.
    Vision
    PAVIP Transport is a first step of a bigger vision for a transportation and 
navigational
    system for visually impaired and blind people. A second step would be the 
expansion
    with information and navigational points on populous places in cities. This 
would
    activate the system point-wise besides public transport. A last step would 
involve
    satellite navigation to build bridges between these information points and 
complete
    the information and navigational system.
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Lynn Evans 
    To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 3:26 PM
    Subject: [tabi] Re: an idea for Nova 2010


    There was a brief talk at the Monday meeting at the Lighthouse to use some 
type of tactile marker at the base of each bus stop sign to mark the signs 
position. Some type of raised marker on the sidewalk. 

    Also there is a list of transfer points on the NOVA 2010 site now. 
    Only two points hve audible signals. 
    the link is:
    http://www.talgov.com/starmetro/nova2010_routes.cfm#3

    ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Chip Orange 
      To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
      Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 2:21 PM
      Subject: [tabi] an idea for Nova 2010


      Hi all,

      I know this hasn't been discussed all that much, but one of the potential 
problems I see with nova 2010 is that a lot, if not all, of the bus stops will 
be relocating.  It seems likely that those who have memorized the locations of 
the current stops will have some difficulty in locating the new stops from just 
a text description.

      so, the idea I'd like to hear comment on, is how about use of the devices 
that I just posted a press release for, the SoundPost?  it looks to me if 
StarMetro, or someone, would purchase and install the base stations at the bus 
stops, and someone would buy and distribute for a nominal price the handheld 
units, these would do nicely for helping people locate the stop.

      the site isn't entirely clear on how they work, so I called the 
developer, and we spoke for a few minutes.  the base stations emit an I/R beam, 
and the hand helds vibrate or beep when you come within range.  you can then 
begin to move the handheld in a circle, aiming it at different directions, and 
you'll get a strong indication as to which direction the beam is coming from, 
plus a spoken identification of the type of installation the unit is placed at 
(it's any of 185 different, predefined, types such as "bus stop", "women's 
restroom", "government building", etc.).  they have a range of about 30 meters, 
or 90 feet.

      so, does anyone else think these things would be helpful for this 
project, and should we take this idea to StarMetro?

      thanks.

      Chip








      ------------------------------

      Chip Orange
      Database Administrator
      Florida Public Service Commission

      Chip.Orange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
      (850) 413-6314

       (Any opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not 
necessarily reflect those of the Florida Public Service Commission.)

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