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OT: High-Rise Elevator Beeps
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Larry Scholnick
Dec 27, 2012, 7:28:28 PM12/27/12
to
We've all heard those little beeps that elevators emit to notify the
visually-impaired (blind) of how many floors have been passed. If you
get on at floor #6 and want to get off at floor #2, you should hear 4
beeps, one as the elevator passes each floor.
Today I rode an elevator in a high-rise building; since I wanted to go
to floor #23, I had to use one of the elevators which serviced floors
15-25 rather than one of the elevators which serviced floors 2-14.
Once the elevator reached floor #15 there were 8 beeps before it let
me off at floor #23. But how many beeps were there as the elevator
zoomed from floor #1 to floor #15?
What I heard was 5 widely-spaced beeps followed by 8 closely-spaced
beeps:
Beep - - Beep - - Beep - - Beep - - Beep
Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep
I don't know whether the building has a floor #13 nor do I know how
many beeps the other (2-14) elevators emit when traveling from floor
#12 to floor #14 (some building elevators beep twice - even if there
is no floor #13, others beep just once).
I don't know how a blind elevator rider is supposed to know what each
of the 5 widely-spaced beeps is intended to represent.
How would you set up your elevator to work in such situations? Is
there an ADA-mandate for how it should work?
visually-impaired (blind) of how many floors have been passed. If you
get on at floor #6 and want to get off at floor #2, you should hear 4
beeps, one as the elevator passes each floor.
Today I rode an elevator in a high-rise building; since I wanted to go
to floor #23, I had to use one of the elevators which serviced floors
15-25 rather than one of the elevators which serviced floors 2-14.
Once the elevator reached floor #15 there were 8 beeps before it let
me off at floor #23. But how many beeps were there as the elevator
zoomed from floor #1 to floor #15?
What I heard was 5 widely-spaced beeps followed by 8 closely-spaced
beeps:
Beep - - Beep - - Beep - - Beep - - Beep
Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep
I don't know whether the building has a floor #13 nor do I know how
many beeps the other (2-14) elevators emit when traveling from floor
#12 to floor #14 (some building elevators beep twice - even if there
is no floor #13, others beep just once).
I don't know how a blind elevator rider is supposed to know what each
of the 5 widely-spaced beeps is intended to represent.
How would you set up your elevator to work in such situations? Is
there an ADA-mandate for how it should work?
Larry Scholnick
Dec 27, 2012, 7:45:37 PM12/27/12
to
Well, I found the ADA guidelines, which said:
"As the car passes or stops at a floor served by the elevators, ... an
audible signal shall sound."
So, it seems that in a building without a 13th floor there should be
just one beep as the elevator goes from floor #12 to floor #14;
likewise for a building with a 13th floor if the elevators are set to
skip it. And there should be just 1 beep as the express elevator that
I was riding went from floor #1 to floor #15.
Of course the ADA guidelines do not explicitly prohibit extra beeps -
they just specify the beeps that are required.
Which means that the visually impaired rider is still out of luck.
"As the car passes or stops at a floor served by the elevators, ... an
audible signal shall sound."
So, it seems that in a building without a 13th floor there should be
just one beep as the elevator goes from floor #12 to floor #14;
likewise for a building with a 13th floor if the elevators are set to
skip it. And there should be just 1 beep as the express elevator that
I was riding went from floor #1 to floor #15.
Of course the ADA guidelines do not explicitly prohibit extra beeps -
they just specify the beeps that are required.
Which means that the visually impaired rider is still out of luck.
John David Galt
Dec 27, 2012, 8:27:58 PM12/27/12
to
On 2012-12-27 16:45, Larry Scholnick wrote:
> Which means that the visually impaired rider is still out of luck.
No, it means he must rely on the braille button he pushes and the braille
> Which means that the visually impaired rider is still out of luck.
labels inside the door opening at each floor, if there's nobody there to
tell him what floor it is.
Larry Sheldon
Dec 27, 2012, 9:18:18 PM12/27/12
to
audible click as it goes past each floor.
I have no idea what or how or why.
--
Idioten aangeboden. Gratis af te halen.
h/t Dagelijkse Standaard
ICBM Data: http://g.co/maps/e5gmy
Andrew M. Saucci, Jr.
Dec 27, 2012, 9:44:03 PM12/27/12
to
With modern technology, an elevator should have a recorded voice
that actually announces the number of each floor as it passes. Or it could
simply announce the floors where it opens-- they are the only ones that
count anyway.
Some day, while we drive, a voice will announce each exit and read
each sign on a highway. "Next is Exit 301, US Route 333 to Anyville and
Sometown, a right-hand exit in just one kilometer. A hospital is available
at this exit." "Speed limit 55 on Interstate 55 northbound to Whereburg."
"Reminder-- trucks, buses, and trailers are prohibited from the left hand
lane." The technology already exists and simply needs to be implemented.
"Larry Scholnick" <larry_s...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:a3ba6013-0725-4f30...@oi3g2000pbb.googlegroups.com...
that actually announces the number of each floor as it passes. Or it could
simply announce the floors where it opens-- they are the only ones that
count anyway.
Some day, while we drive, a voice will announce each exit and read
each sign on a highway. "Next is Exit 301, US Route 333 to Anyville and
Sometown, a right-hand exit in just one kilometer. A hospital is available
at this exit." "Speed limit 55 on Interstate 55 northbound to Whereburg."
"Reminder-- trucks, buses, and trailers are prohibited from the left hand
lane." The technology already exists and simply needs to be implemented.
"Larry Scholnick" <larry_s...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:a3ba6013-0725-4f30...@oi3g2000pbb.googlegroups.com...
Free Lunch
Dec 27, 2012, 10:08:11 PM12/27/12
to
On Thu, 27 Dec 2012 21:44:03 -0500, "Andrew M. Saucci, Jr."
<spam...@saucci.local> wrote in misc.transport.road:
> With modern technology, an elevator should have a recorded voice
>that actually announces the number of each floor as it passes. Or it could
>simply announce the floors where it opens-- they are the only ones that
>count anyway.
>
> Some day, while we drive, a voice will announce each exit and read
>each sign on a highway. "Next is Exit 301, US Route 333 to Anyville and
>Sometown, a right-hand exit in just one kilometer. A hospital is available
>at this exit." "Speed limit 55 on Interstate 55 northbound to Whereburg."
>"Reminder-- trucks, buses, and trailers are prohibited from the left hand
>lane." The technology already exists and simply needs to be implemented.
Didn't Proctor and Bergman invent those already:
"Antelope Freeway, one mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one half mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one quarter mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one eighth mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one sixteenth mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one thirtysecondth mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one sixty-fourth mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one one-hundred-and-twenty-eighth mile..."
<spam...@saucci.local> wrote in misc.transport.road:
> With modern technology, an elevator should have a recorded voice
>that actually announces the number of each floor as it passes. Or it could
>simply announce the floors where it opens-- they are the only ones that
>count anyway.
>
> Some day, while we drive, a voice will announce each exit and read
>each sign on a highway. "Next is Exit 301, US Route 333 to Anyville and
>Sometown, a right-hand exit in just one kilometer. A hospital is available
>at this exit." "Speed limit 55 on Interstate 55 northbound to Whereburg."
>"Reminder-- trucks, buses, and trailers are prohibited from the left hand
>lane." The technology already exists and simply needs to be implemented.
"Antelope Freeway, one mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one half mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one quarter mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one eighth mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one sixteenth mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one thirtysecondth mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one sixty-fourth mile"
"Antelope Freeway, one one-hundred-and-twenty-eighth mile..."
Nate Nagel
Dec 28, 2012, 8:37:10 AM12/28/12
to
On 12/27/2012 09:44 PM, Andrew M. Saucci, Jr. wrote:
> With modern technology, an elevator should have a recorded voice
> that actually announces the number of each floor as it passes. Or it could
> simply announce the floors where it opens-- they are the only ones that
> count anyway.
Some of them do... or at least in Japan. I don't recall noticing that
> With modern technology, an elevator should have a recorded voice
> that actually announces the number of each floor as it passes. Or it could
> simply announce the floors where it opens-- they are the only ones that
> count anyway.
anywhere in the US but then again I haven't paid particular attention.
> Some day, while we drive, a voice will announce each exit and read
> each sign on a highway. "Next is Exit 301, US Route 333 to Anyville and
> Sometown, a right-hand exit in just one kilometer. A hospital is available
> at this exit." "Speed limit 55 on Interstate 55 northbound to Whereburg."
> "Reminder-- trucks, buses, and trailers are prohibited from the left hand
> lane." The technology already exists and simply needs to be implemented.
probably will be within a few years. My several year old Garmin, as
well as the factory nav in my BMW, already gives voice directions,
although only the Garmin knows what the speed limits are. For the
latter however I find Trapster to be more useful as it's a
community-generated database and generally more accurate - and also
gives you warnings of red light cameras, etc.
nate
--
replace "roosters" with "cox" to reply.
http://members.cox.net/njnagel
Jimmy
Dec 31, 2012, 4:31:02 PM12/31/12
to
Nate Nagel <njna...@roosters.net> wrote:
> For the latter however I find Trapster to be more useful as it's a
> community-generated database and generally more accurate - and also
> gives you warnings of red light cameras, etc.
Didn't an attorney general threaten the maker of a red light camera
> For the latter however I find Trapster to be more useful as it's a
> community-generated database and generally more accurate - and also
> gives you warnings of red light cameras, etc.
app a few years ago, and had it removed?
Jimmy
hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com
Jan 1, 2013, 1:34:34 PM1/1/13
to
On Dec 27 2012, 9:44 pm, "Andrew M. Saucci, Jr." <spam-
within such a 'talking' elevator. During the scene a guy shoots out
the speaker because it is so annoying.
A large department had store automatic elevators with a loudspeaker
announcing each floor. Very annoying.
Subway trains now have automated voices announcing each station stop.
At first it sounds cute, then one feels they're in some sort of 1960s
horror movie of the future.
o...@saucci.local> wrote:
> With modern technology, an elevator should have a recorded voice
> that actually announces the number of each floor as it passes. Or it could
> simply announce the floors where it opens-- they are the only ones that
> count anyway.
In the film "The Anderson Tapes", there is a scene that takes place
> With modern technology, an elevator should have a recorded voice
> that actually announces the number of each floor as it passes. Or it could
> simply announce the floors where it opens-- they are the only ones that
> count anyway.
within such a 'talking' elevator. During the scene a guy shoots out
the speaker because it is so annoying.
A large department had store automatic elevators with a loudspeaker
announcing each floor. Very annoying.
Subway trains now have automated voices announcing each station stop.
At first it sounds cute, then one feels they're in some sort of 1960s
horror movie of the future.
hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com
Jan 1, 2013, 1:43:12 PM1/1/13
to
On Dec 27 2012, 7:28 pm, Larry Scholnick <larry_scholn...@yahoo.com>
wrote:
buildings (as opposed to experimental installations or semi-automatic
ones where the doors were still manual)?
If memory serves, all buildings built or modernized in the mid 1950s
and later had automatic elevators. However, the transition to
automatic in older buildings took years to complete. Also, well into
the 1980s, some buildings still had a manually operated elevator for
special services, such as freight or priority (eg a hospital*).
But in some movies, older buildings had some automatic elevators,
too**.
*In one hospital the switchboard would phone the elevator operator to
bring the car to a certain floor in stat situations. That's of course
when elevators had real working telephones for emergencies in them. I
wonder if the automated intercoms they use today actually would reach
a human in an emergency, or end up merely leaving a message.
**Just aired on TCM was the 1960 classic "The Apartment", involving a
love interest with an elevator operator in an overwise very modern
building that still had manual elevators. I remember all buildings
like that having automatic elevators.
wrote:
> We've all heard those little beeps that elevators emit
When did fully automatic elevators first go into widespread service in
buildings (as opposed to experimental installations or semi-automatic
ones where the doors were still manual)?
If memory serves, all buildings built or modernized in the mid 1950s
and later had automatic elevators. However, the transition to
automatic in older buildings took years to complete. Also, well into
the 1980s, some buildings still had a manually operated elevator for
special services, such as freight or priority (eg a hospital*).
But in some movies, older buildings had some automatic elevators,
too**.
*In one hospital the switchboard would phone the elevator operator to
bring the car to a certain floor in stat situations. That's of course
when elevators had real working telephones for emergencies in them. I
wonder if the automated intercoms they use today actually would reach
a human in an emergency, or end up merely leaving a message.
**Just aired on TCM was the 1960 classic "The Apartment", involving a
love interest with an elevator operator in an overwise very modern
building that still had manual elevators. I remember all buildings
like that having automatic elevators.
conklin
Jan 1, 2013, 1:49:54 PM1/1/13
to
<hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com> wrote in message
news:e5fffecb-919a-4f75...@n5g2000vbk.googlegroups.com...
The apartment house I grew up in was built in 1940-41, and had automatic
elevators. No operators. No beeps either.
Andrew M. Saucci, Jr.
Jan 1, 2013, 7:20:31 PM1/1/13
to
I ride such subway trains all the time. The only announcements that
are annoying are the ones that the human conductor plays-- the ones that say
"if you see something, say something," etc. The station announcements are
clear and audible and far superior to the ones made by humans who mumble and
slur into the loudspeaker system. It's also hard to find anything annoying
about a simple recording that says, "Fifteen." If it started reading me the
news or the weather besides, then I would be highly annoyed, just as I am at
the obnoxious gasoline pumps that have a TV monitor attached to them. I
can't even be left in peace for the three minutes or so that I need to put
gasoline in my car? Those stations are on my boycott list, along with ones
that surcharge credit cards and those in states that prohibit self-service.
Oh, yes-- I do like what is derisively called, "elevator music," and what I
prefer to call "instrumental pop." Elevators that play instrumental pop are
a-okay.
<hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com> wrote in message
news:e4c41433-13aa-4fe9...@u13g2000vbc.googlegroups.com...
are annoying are the ones that the human conductor plays-- the ones that say
"if you see something, say something," etc. The station announcements are
clear and audible and far superior to the ones made by humans who mumble and
slur into the loudspeaker system. It's also hard to find anything annoying
about a simple recording that says, "Fifteen." If it started reading me the
news or the weather besides, then I would be highly annoyed, just as I am at
the obnoxious gasoline pumps that have a TV monitor attached to them. I
can't even be left in peace for the three minutes or so that I need to put
gasoline in my car? Those stations are on my boycott list, along with ones
that surcharge credit cards and those in states that prohibit self-service.
Oh, yes-- I do like what is derisively called, "elevator music," and what I
prefer to call "instrumental pop." Elevators that play instrumental pop are
a-okay.
<hanc...@bbs.cpcn.com> wrote in message
news:e4c41433-13aa-4fe9...@u13g2000vbc.googlegroups.com...
Paul D. DeRocco
Jan 2, 2013, 12:23:44 AM1/2/13
to
> On 12/27/2012 6:44 PM, Andrew M. Saucci, Jr. wrote:
>
> With modern technology, an elevator should have a recorded voice
> that actually announces the number of each floor as it passes. Or it could
> simply announce the floors where it opens-- they are the only ones that
> count anyway.
The last office building I worked in had that in some of the elevators.
>
> With modern technology, an elevator should have a recorded voice
> that actually announces the number of each floor as it passes. Or it could
> simply announce the floors where it opens-- they are the only ones that
> count anyway.
Oddly, they some didn't, even though they appeared to be identical.
> Some day, while we drive, a voice will announce each exit and read
> each sign on a highway. "Next is Exit 301, US Route 333 to Anyville and
> Sometown, a right-hand exit in just one kilometer. A hospital is available
> at this exit." "Speed limit 55 on Interstate 55 northbound to Whereburg."
> "Reminder-- trucks, buses, and trailers are prohibited from the left hand
> lane." The technology already exists and simply needs to be implemented.
the damn thing off.
--
Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
Paul mailto:pder...@ix.netcom.com
Andrew M. Saucci, Jr.
Jan 2, 2013, 10:29:28 PM1/2/13
to
"Paul D. DeRocco" <pder...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:QMydnQFjbJzxWX7N...@earthlink.com...
light bulbs will make disconnecting the voice illegal, just as disconnecting
an air bag or catalytic converter is illegal. It will be labelled a "safety
feature." It will be done simply because it can be done, like so much of
modern technology. But you will be able to buy an assault rifle without so
much as a background check to shoot the smithereens out of the device if you
like!
Message has been deleted
jgar the jorrible
Jan 3, 2013, 8:01:02 PM1/3/13
to
On Jan 2, 7:29 pm, "Andrew M. Saucci, Jr." <spam-o...@saucci.local>
wrote:
> "Paul D. DeRocco" <pdero...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in messagenews:QMydnQFjbJzxWX7N...@earthlink.com...
out the rifle (someone tested an AR-15 done this way and got 6 shots
out of it before it collapsed, materials bound to improve).
The elevator to get over the train tracks at the Irvine transit center
is pretty entertaining. One side has the beeps and the other
doesn't. It has 3 floors, 2 is halfway up. So newbies inevitably
push 2, the elevator goes to 2, newbie realizes mistake too late and
by then the call by the next person down to the ground floor is ahead
of frantic pushing of 3. So someone put a label something like "push
3 to cross over the tracks" which no one ever notices.
Props to Firesign reference!
jg
--
@home.com is bogus.
http://ralphspoilsportmotors.com/
wrote:
> "Paul D. DeRocco" <pdero...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in messagenews:QMydnQFjbJzxWX7N...@earthlink.com...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > > On 12/27/2012 6:44 PM, Andrew M. Saucci, Jr. wrote:
> >> Some day, while we drive, a voice will announce each exit and
> >> read
> >> each sign on a highway. "Next is Exit 301, US Route 333 to Anyville and
> >> Sometown, a right-hand exit in just one kilometer. A hospital is
> >> available
> >> at this exit." "Speed limit 55 on Interstate 55 northbound to Whereburg."
> >> "Reminder-- trucks, buses, and trailers are prohibited from the left hand
> >> lane." The technology already exists and simply needs to be implemented.
>
> > My first reference to the user's manual would be to find out how to turn
> > the damn thing off.
>
> > --
>
> > Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
> > Paul mailto:pdero...@ix.netcom.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > > On 12/27/2012 6:44 PM, Andrew M. Saucci, Jr. wrote:
> >> Some day, while we drive, a voice will announce each exit and
> >> read
> >> each sign on a highway. "Next is Exit 301, US Route 333 to Anyville and
> >> Sometown, a right-hand exit in just one kilometer. A hospital is
> >> available
> >> at this exit." "Speed limit 55 on Interstate 55 northbound to Whereburg."
> >> "Reminder-- trucks, buses, and trailers are prohibited from the left hand
> >> lane." The technology already exists and simply needs to be implemented.
>
> > My first reference to the user's manual would be to find out how to turn
> > the damn thing off.
>
> > --
>
> > Ciao, Paul D. DeRocco
>
> The same folks who outlawed 100-watt and 75-watt incandescent
> light bulbs will make disconnecting the voice illegal, just as disconnecting
> an air bag or catalytic converter is illegal. It will be labelled a "safety
> feature." It will be done simply because it can be done, like so much of
> modern technology. But you will be able to buy an assault rifle without so
> much as a background check to shoot the smithereens out of the device if you
> like!
Why buy? You can buy a 3-D printer and download schematics to print
> The same folks who outlawed 100-watt and 75-watt incandescent
> light bulbs will make disconnecting the voice illegal, just as disconnecting
> an air bag or catalytic converter is illegal. It will be labelled a "safety
> feature." It will be done simply because it can be done, like so much of
> modern technology. But you will be able to buy an assault rifle without so
> much as a background check to shoot the smithereens out of the device if you
> like!
out the rifle (someone tested an AR-15 done this way and got 6 shots
out of it before it collapsed, materials bound to improve).
The elevator to get over the train tracks at the Irvine transit center
is pretty entertaining. One side has the beeps and the other
doesn't. It has 3 floors, 2 is halfway up. So newbies inevitably
push 2, the elevator goes to 2, newbie realizes mistake too late and
by then the call by the next person down to the ground floor is ahead
of frantic pushing of 3. So someone put a label something like "push
3 to cross over the tracks" which no one ever notices.
Props to Firesign reference!
jg
--
@home.com is bogus.
http://ralphspoilsportmotors.com/
Epstein's Mother
Jan 3, 2013, 8:09:34 PM1/3/13
to
On Thursday, 27 December 2012 22:08:11 UTC-5, Free Lunch wrote:
>
>
>
> Didn't Proctor and Bergman invent those already:
>
>
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one half mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one quarter mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one eighth mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one sixteenth mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one thirtysecondth mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one sixty-fourth mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one one-hundred-and-twenty-eighth mile..."
>
>
>
'You can't get there from here'
>
>
>
> Didn't Proctor and Bergman invent those already:
>
>
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one half mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one quarter mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one eighth mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one sixteenth mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one thirtysecondth mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one sixty-fourth mile"
>
> "Antelope Freeway, one one-hundred-and-twenty-eighth mile..."
>
>
>
'But I'm looking for the Same Old Place'
'Oh, you mean the Old Same Place! It's out back. Here's the Key!'
Jimmy
Jan 4, 2013, 4:38:51 PM1/4/13
to
hanco...@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
> If memory serves, all buildings built or modernized in the mid 1950s
> and later had automatic elevators. However, the transition to
> automatic in older buildings took years to complete. Also, well into
> the 1980s, some buildings still had a manually operated elevator for
> special services, such as freight or priority (eg a hospital*).
There's still plenty of older luxury buildings in NYC with manual
> If memory serves, all buildings built or modernized in the mid 1950s
> and later had automatic elevators. However, the transition to
> automatic in older buildings took years to complete. Also, well into
> the 1980s, some buildings still had a manually operated elevator for
> special services, such as freight or priority (eg a hospital*).
elevators. There are real estate listings which advertise a full-time
elevator operator as a feature (which could theoretically include
someone who pushed the buttons in an automatic elevator, but that's
probably rare in a residential building).
Here's an article about a former operator in a building that converted
in 2009:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/nyregion/thecity/01elev.html
In the picture, the handle he's holding is the control to drive the
elevator up or down.
Jimmy
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