I think sighted people would be thrilled to be able to choose a route that circumvented traffic lights. The routing software could take them into account when estimating travel times.
There are indeed these and other compeling reasons sighted GPS users could benefit from data noting where signal lights are located. Most certainly each municipality knows where the lights are and they probably keep them updated pretty accurately. A big data company like Tele Atlas or Navteq could certainly add this data to the rest of the massive data they collect. They are also driving the streets collecting photos and other information to increase the quality and accuracy of their data.
We will make them aware of our interest to be added to the reasons drivers would also want the data.
Mike At 10:06 PM 6/12/2008, you wrote:
you can add the traffic lights if you need them, but the traffic will tell you if their are lights or not. That's called mobility. The sendero is and has always been intended to be an additional tool, not by any means a replacement for a cane, dog, monocular, or good mobility skills. Besides, lights can be added or removed, and that is not a place where you want bad data. Since the GPS is not what you use to navigate the lights, it would make no sence for it to have that information.
Michael G. May CEO Sendero Group"The GPS company:" Sendero Featuring GPS on the mPower, PK and Voice Sense and coming soon, Mobile Geo. . Also distributing Trekker, Victor Stream, KNFB Mobile Reader, Talks,, Mobile Speak, Tiger embossers, Miniguide and ID Mate
Crashing Through by Robert Kurson available at http://www.CrashingThrough.com MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx http://www.SenderoGroup.com 1-888-757-6810, Fax (530) 757-6830, Mobile (530) 304-0007 Sendero Group, LLC 429 F Street, Davis, CA 95616, USA