Workshop - June 25th

The workshop at the Braddock Library on June 25th was a great success! We had a number of repeat participants as well as some new faces.

The group divided up into two smaller groups: one brainstormed around air quality issues on Braddock Avenue, and the other focused on the Rankin Bridge rehabilitation project.

air quality group

(above) air quality group

Rankin Bridge storyboarding

(above) Rankin Bridge group

We used storyboards to sort through the issues in the following order:

  1. list the issues
  2. list the sensors that might pick up the issues
  3. list the expressions the robot would take after sensing the issue
  4. list the reactions people would have to the robot’s expression

The Rankin Bridge group chose to focus on the traffic that will likely occur when the bridge lanes are reduced to one in each direction. Many sub-issues arrive from heavy traffic:

  • high stress levels
  • new traffic patterns
  • higher density of cars
  • more air pollution

The group was particularly concerned with children crossing the street under such conditions. Already, crossing the street is difficult and dangerous, but with an increase in both cars and stress levels, crossing could become even more treacherous for children and adults alike.

Mike Tobias draws a dangerous intersection

Bridge_Collage08.jpg

(above) Mike Tobias sketches out an intersection likely to become heavily trafficked with the start of the bridge project.

Expressions intended to alert drivers to pedestrian crossing could include flashing lights, bells and whistles, balloons, and a recording of the Supremes’ “Stop in the Name of Love.”

Bridge_Expressions02.jpg

That is sure to get the attention of drivers near and far!

Another great idea was to broadcast a traffic alert, either over the radio or via podcasts, to notify drivers of unexpected traffic and possible alternative routes to take. The alert may also include tidbits of information about Braddock: while you’re stuck in traffic, you may as well learn a bit of background about the community around you!

The Rankin Bridge group hopes that these ideas will help strike up a conversation between the community and the County in order to make the two years of construction work a smoother and more peaceful process for both parties.