hey guys,
here's a summary of what we talked about tonight.
mel, thanks for your words earlier today. in addition to the photos sam posted, they were an inspiration to us. we agreed with them all, but here are the key points we pulled out:
"letting people wait without any information about time etc is a torture method and makes u lose all orientation"
we agree. this is the reason for showing the time elapse graphically and numerically, in addition to introducing partial right of way (sharing the intersection). this was what set the ball rolling for new terms: cross, wait, share instead of go, stop, partial right of way. renaming the terms automatically gives our ideas a more positive and productive outlook--"it's not a race"
"abstract waiting signals need to be learned first"
true. this is why we need to utilize the old symbols that everyone knows and use them to introduce the new symbols.
"put the pedestrian at first -> attention"
great idea. food for thought: here's a video sam found involving bike right of way in portland.


some questions we posed tonight:
why do we need pre-existing symbols? (walking man/hand)
-non-numerical display of time elapse requires reference point
-consistant symbol for visually impaired (color blind)

what are the pros and cons of the methods for time elapse?
NUMERIC SECONDS: PROS
-additional reference point
-historical continuity (familiarity)
-arabic numerals recognized globally
NUMERIC SECONDS: CONS
-may make sign busy or overwhelming (too much info)
-may not be apparent for the disabled: illiterate? dyslexic? visually impaired?

LINEAR BARS:PROS
-shoes ratio of time passed/time remaining clearly
-mimicks zebra stripes
-can make color transitions (better than numeric seconds)
-fits on pre-existing poles
-horizontal or vertical orientation
-certain mystery (ignorance is bliss) to no numbers
-less light/space pollution than current solution
LINEAR BARS:CONS
-consistant fram for inconsistant time (traffic lights vary but time elapse space on all pedestrian lights will be uniform)

RADIAL:PROS
-clear time reference point (start to finish...infinite)
-constant height means constant visability (not hidden by walkers)
-can be installed in place of existing signs
RADIAL: CONS
not streamlined (more light/space pollution than linear bars)



all sketched solutions must fall under one or more of the following construction systems: ORGANIC, RADIAL, LINEAR (examples will be posted by monica later)
and must utilize:
-pre-existing symbols (man/hand)
-red, green, yellow
-how to simply show time elabse
-address "share" mode


oh, and we were inspired by NOOKA watches. as it just so happens, the guy who invented NOOKA is a professor at Parsons. We contacted him tonight and should be recieving a reply within the next few days.

also, sam found out that the L train's timers are simply to make an increase of ridership by making people feel at ease in the station. he has a pdf.

another thing: we need to come up with a symbol for "share"
i tried a standing man but i don't think it's appropriate

please post comments, criticism on the questions, pros, and cons.

talk to you all soon!
rob

ps--we'll be constructing animations fo the next two days. you should have them soon.