Hello everyone,
I am the developer of the iOS app CrossGuide, which is designed to help blind and visually impaired people find accessible pedestrian signals (APS).
The app allows you to:
- Search our community-driven database for APS locations in your area, making it easier to identify which intersections are equipped with accessible signals.
- Directly start the navigation to a found APS location with Apple Maps.
- Add new APS locations as you come across them, so that we can continue building a useful and up-to-date database of accessible crossings.
Over 2.500 APS locations in New York City are already added.
I developed this app with the hope that it will provide an additional layer of safety and convenience for the blind and visually impaired community.
I’ve done my best to ensure that CrossGuide is simple, functional, and easy to use.
I’d love to get your feedback.
You can download CrossGuide from
https://apps.apple.com/app/id6639618458
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing what you think!
Best,
Pawel
Comments
@Pawel
Oco already exists and does a similar thing to this app from what I understand: https://www.applevis.com/apps/ios/navigation/oko-cross-streets-maps
I just thought i'd let you know.
Sounds Interesting
The idea of this sounds interesting so I downloaded the app. I already know that there are no accessible pedestrian signals in my area so I was not surprised not to find any. I was thinking that this could be good when I go to a new city. I do travel occasionally by myself and accessible pedestrian signals are good to know about.
I'm sure I'll start a firestorm with my next comment but here goes. I understand that devs gotta make money but $0.99 per month seems like a lot of money for what this does. Am I mistaken in thinking that this app merely guides user to the presence of an accessible pedestrian signal? How are the signals detected and added to the database. I see that there is an option to stand next to the signal and hit the SAVE button. Is the dev really asking us to pay for a subscription and then do all the work of adding the signal locations?
@Brad
Hello Brad,
thanks for the tip.
Unfortunately, this application is not available in Germany.
Maybe it is currently only available in the USA.
I hope that it will make it across the pond to good old Europe at some point :-).
Sounds very interesting in any case.
Best regards
Pawel
@Just Another Blind Guy
Hello Just Another Blind Guy,
thank you for taking the time to try out the app and your feedback.
Finding accessible pedesrian signals in new environments is actually the core idea of this app.
I am visually impaired myself and am confronted with this when I travel to a new city.
If publicly accessible data sets with the locations exist, we will import them into the database over time, just like we did with NYC.
Otherwise, we depend on the help of the community.
Maybe a dataset exists for your region. I would be happy to research it.
With more data, additional features are also conceivable, such as calculating a route from point A to B taking accessible pedestrian signals into account.
Best regards
Pawel
Interesting Indeed...
I've never tried out either of these apps but will definitely have to do so at some point. It just seems like new and exciting apps are dropping daily and it's honestly a bit daunting, lol! But anyway, I know of at least 2 accessible pedestrian signals in my area but I'm unsure at this point as to their locations. What I do know however, is that I have passed them on walks with sighted family and friends. My independent outdoor travel skills are not quite up to par, but I think that's a topic for another time. Suffice it to say I'll definitely give both these apps a go and see what I think. Btw, I live in the Chicago area and know of at least one other accessible crossing near a rehab facility which I attended several years ago.
You made an app in germany but didn't add any german crosssings?
I understand there's less accessibility stuff in europ but that just seams odd to me.
Tie-in to traffic signal control system
I've always wanted an app that would use your location to determine what intersection your at, then simply tell you the state of the crosswalk signals for each street, based on data from the local traffic control system. Maybe I'm being naive, but in the US I would think these systems would be standardized.
Re: Interesting Indeed...
Hello Ekaj,
I would be happy if you tried out the app and am grateful for any feedback.
I will definitely research whether there is a dataset for Chicago that I can import.
Best regards
Pawel
Re: You made an app in germany but didn't add any german ...
Hello Brad,
We are initially focusing on the states. However, in the near future we will certainly also turn our attention to Europe.
Best regards
Pawel
Re: Tie-in to traffic signal control system
Hello Paul,
that would definitely be a great solution.
From a technical point of view, the question for me is whether all the necessary data is available and accessible for third-party solutions.
With the ever-increasing digitalization, even in public spaces, I can well imagine that such a solution will become possible.
Best regards
Pawel
@pawel.
Thanks for answering my questions, the app isn't my kind of thing but i apreciate you for doing that.