[gps-talkusers] Re: Situation 8, forcing the BN to avoid a road closure

From: Michael May <MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sun, 12 Dec 2004 10:53:47 -0800
Jeff,

There is a fun but difficult responsibility that goes along with being the 
navigator. Before I had the GPS, I still would have done my best to use the 
phone or other techniques to help in a situation like this. However, my 
options were limited and the primary responsibility was up to the driver. 
Trying to negotiate traffic, fog and new streets is difficult enough for 
one person.

The fleeting thought crossed my mind as I was struggling with finding a new 
route, how things would be easier if I didn't have the BrailleNote GPS. 
There would be no responsibility and no blame if I couldn't help because I 
was blind.

I am sure many of us have faced the momentary panick at a freeway off ramp 
when the driver says, "which way do I go?" And we are supposed to help with 
an answer when we have no information. I sympathize with the driver who has 
to make instantaneous decisions at high speeds. However, we can't help if 
we don't have information.

The BrailleNote GPS is by no means perfect in the information it provides 
but it is a thousand times better than no information. Neither are print 
street signs perfect for the sighted person. With accessible GPS, there is 
no excuse for not helping out as a navigator. With practice and ingenuity, 
we can be pretty good blind back seat drivers. It won't always be easy and 
we won't always get it right but we are less blind as a result of this new 
role.

Mike






>Mike:
>
>Your story is quite helpful!  I know driving with our wives can be
>challenging at times especially in unfamiliar areas.
>
>Although I've not quite started to use my GPS - I am getting there - your
>story is one good suggestion if I can't simply find an alternative route
>from where one is standing to the destination.  Actually, I've navigated my
>wife to a certain point that I'd be familiar with and then go from there.
>
>Jeff
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Michael May" <MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2004 1:14 AM
>Subject: [gps-talkusers] Situation 8, forcing the BN to avoid a road closure
>
>
> > Situation 8
> > We are driving to a Society for the Blind Christmas function at the
> > Sacramento Yacht Club. It is very foggy and there is lots of traffic. I am
> > in charge of directions with my BrailleNote GPS route guiding us along.
> >
> > The tension in the car is palpable as we creep across a bridge over the
> > Sacramento River. The BN reports 2.1 miles to our destination. I can't
>wait
> > for a warm fire and glass of wine.
> >
> > We arrive at an intersection where the BN instructs us to continue
>straight
> > but flashing lights and police cars across the road force us to turn
>right.
> > It turns out that a gas main ruptured and the route we needed was
> > completely blocked.
> >
> > Question 8
> > What now? We are in a completely unfamiliar area, it is residential and
> > there is nobody to ask directions of. We are already very late. How do I
> > get us to the event  and keep my hide intact at the same time?
> >
> > Answer8
> > My wife wanted me to call the Yacht Club, which I of course did. I told
>the
> > bar tender where we were and she gave me very complicated directions for
> > two possible alternate routes and at the same time, my wife is talking to
> > me. I hang up, more confused than ever.
> >
> > I told her to pull over and take a deep breath while I find us a route. I
> > went into Explore mode and reversed the route so I can understand the
>route
> > coming from the destination toward me. This gave me a chance to see each
>of
> > the cross streets that might provide an alternate access and which might
> > clarify what the bar tender told me.
> >
> > I found another road that intersected Highway 80 and set it as my
> > destination. I then calculated a route from where we were to this interim
> > destination. While we were driving there, I then calculated a second route
> > from the freeway intersection to the Yacht Club. In other words, I picked
> > an interim point that created a triangle around the road closure. This
> > means of using two routes to complete an entire trip is a good strategy
>for
> > forcing the BN to route you the way you want to go rather than the way it
> > tells you to go.
> >
> > My wife was about ready to tell me where to go as well.  It turns out that
> > everyone was delayed by the road closure so relatively speaking, we
>weren't
> > late. It was wonderful to step out of the car and fog into the embrace of
> > the holiday cheer, great folks and good food. Thank goodness the return
> > trip home was uneventful. I am also grateful for the fact that I could be
> > the navigator. I don't know quite what we would have done if I didn't have
> > my GPS and ingenuity.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
[gps-talkusers] Re: Situation 8, forcing the BN to avoid a road closure

Other related posts:
