Communication for Safety

red dot
red dot award: design concept 2008

design:

Lee Sung-Young

Communication for Safety is a light-based road warning system activated by cars that stray dangerously over the centre line of the road.

Central road markings play a significant role when we drive. They are the lifeline of the road. However, could they better protect our safety? We can easily see the raised pavement marker (RPM) on the centre line. Sometimes we will be in a situation where we have to cross the centre line. We impose a great amount of danger not only to ourselves but also to the driver coming towards us in the opposite direction. If that driver could recognise in advance that a car ahead had crossed the centre line, they would be able to prepare for the impending situation by paying keener attention.

The Communication for Safety concept involves responsive RPMs that can warn drivers ahead of impending danger. When a car crosses the centre line, it runs over the RPM. This is comprised of two coloured LED lamps, a switch, two sensors, an oscillator and a solar storage battery. As the car crosses the center line, the RPMs light up within a safety zone of about 200 metres ahead from the first RPM that has been touched. Each two-piece RPM sends a signal to the next RPM, which lights up gradually with an interval of 0.1 seconds. This forms a ray of light along the road that will communicate to drivers ahead that a car has crossed the centre line. This communication will be most helpful on winding roads, at night or in fog.