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.
So tonight we got together to brainstorm for several hours. We knew we needed inspiration to come up with a user interface and displays in regard to our subject. In this image there are watches, computer games, electronics and sound waves. They helped us conceptualize many different things. we totaled around 40 sketches, some small some big. Monica will be posting them later tonight.
- letting people wait without any information about time etc is a torture method and makes u lose all orientation. - information makes waiting feel better. -> deflection - digital info screens in subways in Cgn show countowns and possible technical difficulties -> if you communicate why a train might be late, passengers are more pleased - information avoids boredom while waiting - info need to be varied..think of the same melody while youre waiting on the phone-> uncool - attitude and mood decide if we consider a waiting situation to be a waiting situation at all-> create comfort - abstract waiting signlas need to be learned first - use everything: see (clear, probably different shapes for the lights, friendly colors), listen (not even for blind people), feel (structure on the ground), smell (waiting situations seem to be better and shorter if there is a nice smell in the air) - put the pedestrian at first -> attention
GRUPPE FLUOZ: area of focus, problem statement, factors to address
Main Area of Focus:Informing pedestrians Problem Statement:Because of inadequate signaling information and natural impatience, pedestrians put themselves in danger when crossing the street, waiting to cross the street, and during situations of partial right of way.
Our design solution will provide pedestrians with the appropriate information needed to navigate an urban intersection. We will be working with the current set of symbols and the current architecture of the intersection. Because the pedestrian is better informed in his revived visual environment, he or she may make safety-based judgements. He knows how long he has to wait on the curb before crossing, how long he has to cross, and that he might be sharing the crosswalk with turning cars.
Factors our solution will address: 1. More accurate and quantifiable visual time elapse -numbers -graphic representation -color relevance 2. Partial right of way alert -strobe -blink -symbol 3. Communication with other parts of the system via sensors -how does the light know there is partial right of way? -stay with light schedule but still inform -how do these sensors communicate with hiro/oz/marina/valeria/tobi's group's windshield?
So guys, we have taken everything we've been talking about for the past month and put it into solid written form. This is our template for the rest of the project. Now we need everyone to really focus because we only have TWO MORE WEEKS to FINALIZE this concept. Beginning the week of DECEMBER 1, we must concentrate on fine tuning and presentation. SO, how shall we divide and CONQUER? A SKYPE session is DEFINITELY in order--BEFORE Thursday.
Would sometime between 12pm and 2:30pm on Wednesday November 12 be good for everybody?
Let us know ASAP.
:)
Friday, November 7, 2008
Okay guys, here's my research. I'm a little upset that I can't find information on the specific lights used in NYC (or any other area). The DOT is no help.
On partial right of way: Flashing yellow lights mean proceed with care. They require cars to treat them like stop signs. Since drivers already know this signal/rule, it would be easier to implement than a totally new symbol/rule for pedestrians. This source is a wealth of information about turning laws in different countries in regards to red light cameras (will we be using that technology with the sensors?).
Buy a traffic light from China. Key Specifications/Special Features:
* Materials: PC or aluminum * Rated power: 8W/unit * Power consumption: > 8W * Working voltage: 220V AC±20% * Frequency: 50 to 60Hz * Lifespan: up to 50,000 hours * Can save up to 80 to 90% energy * Wavelength: o Red: 620nm o Yellow: 590nm o Green: 505nm * Temperature: -40 to 75°C * Humidity: > 90%
This graph is part of research done by RPI which has many more graphs for us to utilize for comparison of lumens. Sam, you asked for lumens for LED traffic lights and this is the most legit source I could find. Unfortunately, we're gonna have to interpret a little bit. We should compare this information with the afformentioned traffic light from China. We should also read the .pdf together that is located here.
Two positives about LED traffic lights include gradual burnout (vs. immediate burnout by incandescents) and lifespan of up to ten years (as of 2002). Is there more specific, up to date info? Here are some more stats, but I think we should have more specific stats to a specific size/brand of light...but I can't find any!!!
i was thinking of those ugly acryl cubes for keys or sth where 3D objects like famous buildings etc are inside..maybe we could use this somehow?
maybe this could also be something inspiring?
