3. Contents
An automatic turn
signal system for
bikers to increase their
visibility and better com-
municate with their envi-
ronment to improve their
safety.
Objectives
4. Biking is becoming more pop-
ular due to the interests in de-
creasing carbon admission and in-
creasing human health; however,
as there are more bikers on the
road,so the need for more cy-
clist safety
precaution must be taken.
Background
5. Size
Flashing
Large
Location
Medium
Small
Yes
No
Bicep
Forearm
Thigh
Calf
Find a dark room with as little white
as possible, and all conflicting lights
are off also have the testing person
wear dark clothes, anyone involved
wear dark clothes.
1.Position the bike on a bike stand
in the middle of a room with a five
feet radius of space around the
bike.
2.Mark from the circle the
0,45,90,130,180,etc degrees points
with visible tape on the floor.
3. Position the light source on the
location at question and turn on
the light.
( once location is solidified then test
4. At each marked position starting
from O degrees, take a picture of
tester on the bike turning left and
right then switch to the next
position until you have completed a
circle
while take pictures take note of any
constrictions.
Experiment
5. Apply
contraints to
the
experiment .
Repeat the experiment until all
variables have been tested.
Protocol
6. Data Collection Sample
From the user experiments, I learned that the
most visibility I can get on the human body is if I
placed the light on his/her head- the forearm has the
greatest control but more obstructions, the biceps
were too close to the rider’s eyes and blinded their
peripherial view, the thigh and calf were too uncom-
fortable, and the back was easily blocked by carrying
devices like backpacks or bags.
The size that worked best was the medium/
small size. The large panel was too blinding when
people were close and hard the make out the arrrow
shape on the panel. The smallest panel was the easiest
to read at 5 ft.,because I could still see the sihouette
of the arrow shape, but from 10-15 ft. away the arrow
shape disappeared and all I saw was a dot. The me-
dium panel wasn’t as easy to read as the small panel
but you could still see the shape afar without blinding
people up close.
Lastly the flashing definitely brought a lot or
attention then compared to without flashing so that
was also established as a necessary feature.
7. Real World Observations
Given that I was doing research on signaling bike lights for commut-
ers, I wanted to know what it felt to be a commuter and experience the real
struggles they might be experiencing. So to better understand my demo-
graphic I decied to visit downtown SF during commtuing hours. Here are
some things that I noticed :
1. Most bikers do not care about the danger they have taken upon them-
selves and are only concerned about the danger presented by other people.
2. There is much fluidity between using the sidewalks and using the streets.
3. The communication between driver and bikers are little to none.
These things add up showed that bikers don’t signal all that often when bik-
ing, they only signal if they feel threaten, for example they signal for unpro-
tected left turns or car circles but not right turns.
It seems inherent danger of being a commuting biker in the city is a
side effect from convoluted traffic and lack of proper communication be-
tween cyclists and cars. I don’t believe the jacket will give a permanent solu-
tion with the underlying issues that come with cycling in the city but I do
believe it can be temporary solution until better regulation and infrastruc-
ture from the government enforces a healthier cyclist-driver relationship.
8. So with all the information added up, I believe
my original design for the bike light best represents
what is needed for the market. The experiments
helped define the type of light, size and confirm the
placement of the variables through user testing. Based
on the user experiments, I drew a sequence of small
EL panels to help people see the light from afar and
up close. it is also intuitively placed on the arm- the
instruments cyclists use to communicate their turns.
The arrangement of light panels also allows flashing to
run sequencially from the forearm to the wrist, further
reinforcing the signaling message.
With these important variables confirmed I
hope to be further my project and to able to make a
working prototype. My next step is to place the batter-
ies in the pocket for easy access and disposal, and find
materials that can make the panels water and shock-
proof .
Conclusion
