IH02-ReyDoctora

From IEOR 170 Spring 2007

Problem Description

In many cities, and especially in the city of Berkeley, street signs are often blocked by nearby trees, placed in difficult-to-see locations on city streets, or are not big enough to read unless approached from a closer perspective. Drivers and pedestrians, therefore, sometimes miss important traffic instructions or park in areas with limited time constraints without realizing it. Misunderstandings may also occur among people when street signs are not clear. I propose the following design to help eliminate misunderstandings in street sign reading and to help improve their visibility.

Target User Group

The target user group is generally the driving and pedestrian public. Within Berkeley, these might include residents and out-of-town-visitors who visit Berkeley to explore the campus or the Bay Area in general. Residents would find street sign improvement positive because they would argue less with visitors who park longer than they should in specified parking areas. Additionally, out-of-town-visitors would find street sign improvement positive because they would receive fewer tickets and understand that Berkeley is strict in its enforcement on many traffic and parking violations.

Solution Sketches

Existing street-sign conditions when blocked by trees.

New design proposal.

Sensor details.

1. The signs themselves will be larger as will be the lettering on the signs.

2. Signs in high-growth shrubbery and trees areas will be attached with sensors that detect obstructions in a 4-5 ft. circular radius.

3. Sensors will contact city officials informing them that shrubbery or obstructions need to be removed for a particular sign.

4. At night, the borders of the signs will illuminate moderately for improved visibility.

Problem Context and Forces

Street signs are everywhere in cities and often trees or other blockades lower their visibility. Nearby trees is especially significant because although a street sign could be placed in a particular location, it may take months or years before it is noticed that the sign is blocked by nearby trees. Additionally, cost is a major issue the design team will need to consider. Having sensors on these signs is particularly expensive and average cost per sign per city region might need to be addressed. Also, environmental factors need to be considered in the sign design; if sensors are placed on signs, they need to be weather-proof in intense heat and intense rain.