Hey gruppe,
Here's my statement and my preliminary LED research. As far as the LED research goes, I wanted to give you guys an idea of where I was going. More to come on Thursday. Are we skyping? Remember, Sam, Monica, and I will be reviewing our preliminary research and statements together tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon. We will review each others' work and make sure that each person is focusing on the correct stuff. As far as the statement goes, we will combine, revise, and publish here on the blog. Germans: please give us your feedback and edits as well. We want to make sure that everybody has a say in the mission statement so that we can continue to have focused product development. Good work, guys!
Talk to you soon!
Thanks,
Rob

Statement:
The primary goal of our "pole" lighting system is to encourage pedestrians to manage their crossing time within an intersection by giving them time elapse information. This information will allow them guage their ability to cross the street before cars invade their zebra stripes. Conversely, this system discourages the pedestrian from taking the risk of crossing the street during cars' right of way by counting down the time until he can cross safely. The pole's secondary function is to alert pedestrians of partial right of way during cars' turning rights.

LED Research:

The ideal system: Waterproof, flexible LEDS. Cons: not bright enough, might not have the colors we want.
http://www.oznium.com/thin-waterproof-ribbon

A VERY bright option. Can we get this in strip form? Is it too bright? Cons: It's by GE.
http://www.plantservices.com/vendors/products/2008/179.html

I think this is the level of brightness we want. But the structure is way too thick.
http://www.ledauthority.com/Color%20LED%20Message%20Centers.htm

PS--sorry about the raw links. I don't know why it won't let me embed them tonight.

please check your mails

I'll post everything tonight but until then I have e-mailed you guys beforehand.

And I just remember in my intermediate degree I researched light poles, I will add that tonight too!

Talk soon!

totally awesome

everyone needs to check these guys out: http://www.hess.eu/en/Homepage/ designers streetlighting AND barriers, just like us....

this video is amazing and inspiring guys: http://www.hess-form-licht.de/dldfile/schauplatz.htm LED FACADE

Public Lighting Inspirations

barrier

i ws thinking that poles are difficult because i dont know how to clearly seperate
the signals for the cars from the signals for the pedestrians.
think of people who are stupid, which are the most, will they get the idea?

so i was thinking about integrating the idea of a rounded pole thing in form of a barrier
integrated into the common traffic lights.
if the signal is red for the pedestrians, there will be this barrier..it can be very modern and
show a digital countdown or sth...but there is something IN THE WAY to avoid people crossing the street.

on the other hand there could be sth in the ground for green light that also shows a countdown
of how long the light will stay green.
in the ground means..no barriers feel free to walk.

i was also thinking about disabled people like blinds or what about those who have difficulties with colors...

in case there is no car while red light there could be an immediate cross button that works with sensors or something.
in germany some traffic lights at night only change if there is a car.
there is a sensor in the ground that works with the magnetism of the motor of the car and tells the
traffic light to change.
very simple..something like that?

POLE TIME

Breathing: we are thinking about making the pole more personified, in hopes of making it more approachable or friendlier. We took inspiration from the apple macbooks. When the laptop is clossed notice the glowing light in the lower right corner that seems to be "breathing" from bright to dim































Pedestrian control: allowing the pedestrian to cross when there are no cars driving into their lane when it is the cars turn
















Crossing needs: allows special needs pedestrian to control the time allowance if so desired: such as blind, deaf, wheelchair, elderly, child, someone who may need more time getting across could possibly use a scanning device to make the crosswalk fit their need
















Colors: how will we display the colors? Should there be a progression from one color to the next through fading or blending? Is it better to flash the colors? Make them breath? Display only one at a time? All at one time? Should both sides of the street see all the same colors at the same time? Do we need the color yellow at all? Should another color be added?





















More information: what information to the pedestrians really need? Some basics: how much time do I have to cross the street? When is it too late to cross? What are the cars doing? Is anyone trying to make a left or right turn into the crosswalk? How long before their light turns green? There must be more, but really think about what is necessary and what is way too much info to handle all at once










































So remember guys: POLES! It doesn't have to be just straight up and down, but don't get crazy with the forms just yet.

tonight's brainstorming

tonight we attempted to elaborate on sandra/rob's ideas of the pedestrian walk/don'twalk poles/signs.
we also talked with Oz and Hiro and developed an idea that integrates with their group's HUD. what if the afformentioned pole was interactive? it could use a hand scanner (or other biometric device)that would address both the pedestrian's needs as well as the intersection's needs.

REASONS FOR INVOLVING THE PEDESTRIANS (hand scanner vs. automatic scanner):
-ownership--makes him a conscious part of the intersection
-lets pedestrians express needs (democratic)
-gives pedestrians control; allows peds to relinquish control
-forces the pedestrians to consider the situation when approaching intersection
CONSIDERATIONS FOR FORM:
-approachable
-clean (sanitary)
-safe
-visible but not intimidating
-safe
-informative
LIGHTING CONSIDERATIONS:
-entire pole has potential to light up
-colors? standard?
-pulse ("apple" breathing)
TECHNOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS:
-biometrics--hand scanners (high five?)
-audio (for the blind...activated by hand scanner?)