David Casacuberta The Web as Utopia

Architecture journals Big data How New Technologies Creative process Critical design Could Change Road Signage Cultural analytics Curricular revision Digital signage in the Future Digital publishing Driver assistance systems Reliance on new technologies for road is increasing, Digital revolution both on the road and in the car. While some may still need to Global positioning system be perfected, several current devices are presented to show Domus Road signage how they can clearly be of help to drivers. The influence of new technologies on road signage is also examined, in the light Editorial design of a hypothesis that illustrates how road signs could evolve if designers took such technologies as their starting point.

Graphic design

Information design

Information visualisation

Innovation

Intangible support Over the last decade the introduction of new tech- what the driver had achieved with a little rental car Interaction Joan Zalacain nologies into road transport has increased dramati- and no previous experience driving in snow, but the Interaction design cally. Their presence continues to grow, both on question was why? Why had the driver decided to Internet “There will come a point roads and in cars, improving safety and aiding driv- continue all the way to the top when the signs further ers to have smooth and comfortable journeys. They down the road advised against it? The answer he gave (In)visible design when essential and suggest routes, help avoid traffic and warn of pos- was ‘I just followed the GPS!’ Disregarding all the ad- Multi-script sible hazards miles ahead. Broadly speaking, drivers vice in the form of traffic signs displayed outside his

Multiculturalism trustworthy information for have welcomed the help offered by new technologies, vehicle, the only source of information he had cho- although some may have been a little too dependent, sen to rely on was the small GPS screen inside his car. Multidisciplinarity drivers will be transferred as proven by the following example. Multilingualism from roads to cars” Last winter I was travelling around the Lake District in northern England. It had been snowing Excessive Reliance on GPS? Narrative artifact Joan Zalacain is a designer with ten years’ experience in for some days and there was some disruption on Events such as the one described are becoming Neuromarketing maps, way-finding and graphic design. He likes to bring the roads. One of the roads closed was a mountain more and more common. There are dozens of news clarity to what some call our era of information obesity. pass on my planned route. Although it was clearly reports about drivers plunging into rivers and lakes, Paper His design approach aims to improve user experience by signposted as closed, I decided to drive through it or almost driving off cliffs. Only recently a driver Perception simplifying processes and delivering information in an effective and seamless manner. after being informed at the local pub that it would had to be rescued by helicopter after driving a deliv- Remediation His clients include Mijksenaar Wayfinding in Amsterdam, be alright for my old off-road car. Once I reached the ery van up a mountain path in the Swiss Alps. All where he worked until last year. Deciding to broaden his top I had to wait for the snowplough to clear some these bizarre episodes have triggered a heated de- knowledge, he enrolled on a master’s degree in Information Design at the University of Reading. areas, and while waiting, a standard little car carry- bate over the spiralling effects that GPS and other Sensoriality ing a Saudi Arabian couple arrived on the scene. The technology related to road signage might produce Strategic vision snowplough crew and I were quite surprised to see on our everyday road trips.

Type design

Typography

Visual catalogue

Visual impact 63 29 ELISAVA Temes de Disseny Joan Zalacain How New Technologies Could Change Road Signage in the Future

its origins are military, having been developed for Regulation of Information fighter jets in the sixties and subsequently applied One of the drawbacks of these technologies is not to civilian aircraft. knowing who is regulating them and devising their Car companies have been experimenting with standards. VMSs and driver-triggered signs are the HUD design for a number of years, and several maintained and controlled by governments; GPS brands have recently decided to further its develop- navigation systems, however, are not. Two main ment, combining it with navigation systems. At the digital mapping companies control most of the moment HUDs are able to display a few prohibition, market, Navteq and TeleAtlas. Google uses their warning and mandatory traffic signs introduced in mapping services, although it has also begun to de- i Image 1. Variable message sign on a motorway. Photo: Donald Johansson. the system by mapping companies or read by sen- velop its own. All three are private; as mentioned, sors in front of cars. Extra information such as cur- the information they show is neither controlled nor rent speed and distance to the car ahead is also dis- regulated by any government, with the exception Those in favour of technology in road transport Other Road Transport Technologies played. HUDs are already offered by some brands as of information concerning traffic congestion. This have already predicted that traditional physical traf- Another technology that has been applied to the road an optional extra, and a specific type of HUD is also brings up a number of legal issues. If a car’s sensors fic signs on the road will eventually disappear. Oth- is VMS, Variable Message Signs [image 1], the large being developed for motorcycles. Still, Google is one misread a speed sign and the maximum speed ap- ers go even further, and have begun to envisage a black panels found on many motorways with LED step ahead as the GPS navigation screen is already pears incorrectly on the HUD, who will be blamed world of automated cars thanks to the development (light-emitting diode) text featuring dynamic infor- being used in Google Glass; in future, information if a driver gets a speeding ticket or causes an acci- of systems such as the Mercedes Steering Assist mation on changing road conditions. The presence may not only travel from the road to the car, but dent? If data mistakenly introduced by a mapping (where the driver does not have to steer, brake or ac- of such signs is increasing as governments choose from the road to the eye. company leads someone to drive off a cliff, the same celerate) in Germany and the Driverless Google Car, this technology to deliver selected information to in the United States. drivers, which can be updated regularly. These ideas may seem a little far-fetched, and Vehicle-triggered signs are another example of many people believe that technology will never ac- technology applied to road signage, automatically t Image 2. Current head-up display. t Image 3. New head-up display with enhanced navigation Photo: BMW AG. systems. Photo: BMW AG. tually replace drivers or the traditional devices that activated when drivers are approaching a specific guide them. Similar discussions are taking place in hazard, such as a dangerous curve or a nearby the aviation industry, where computers are gradu- school where children might unexpectedly cross ally assuming the responsibility of pilots, and the the road. This kind of technology has been in use debate is repeated in all those disciplines in which for many years, warning drivers of their speed lim- technology plays a key role. it in a particular area or of any sudden change in However, the truth is that new technologies have road conditions. Having been progressively updated, made their way into the world of road signs. Accep- such signs can now even alert drivers of the fact of tance of GPS devices is steadily increasing and most being too close to the car in front. drivers are now quite familiar with them. They feel Research in automotive industry is developing comfortable with the information that is selected further, and now combines all the aforementioned and delivered to them at each step, freeing them devices in one single information channel—the from what many consider the burden of having to HUD, Head-up Display—that projects essential in- pay constant attention to signs. GPS devices are formation on the inside of a car windscreen [images also convenient when an instruction is missed, for 2 and 3]. The main advantage of this technology is it can be repeated at the press of a button. If adverse that drivers do not have to take their eyes of the weather makes it difficult to see a sign clearly, a road in search of information, which is displayed in graphic representation of it can also be shown on front of them, designed to be read seamlessly so that a GPS screen. drivers are not required to change focus. Like GPS,

64 65 29 ELISAVA Temes de Disseny Joan Zalacain How New Technologies Could Change Road Signage in the Future

question arises. As these companies do not up- mation, particularly the more advanced signs that even faster pace than it is at present. Moreover, if date their navigation information when roadworks include diagrams with traffic congestion data, as HUD technology continues to evolve and soon be- require roads to be closed, some drivers could per- a result of which had to be slightly con- comes affordable, like GPS it could certainly affect haps continue to follow GPS directions. In order to densed. Condensed typefaces are not as legible as the future design of road signs. avoid such accidents, in 2009 the Dutch government standard letterforms, so the International Institute As mentioned previously, some even forecast introduced signs warning drivers to turn off their for Information Design and designer Erik Spieker- the total disappearance of traffic signs on roads, t Image 4. Two versions of TERN, the top for display on dot navigation systems at the start of roadworks. matrix systems, and the bottom for display on standard road mann worked together to make sure the slight- although at the moment such a scenario seems signs. Source: In-Safety & IIID. ly condensed typefaces were as sharp and clear as scarcely credible, as the human factor must also be standard types. taken into account. While technology is instigating Effects on Road Sign Design A further version of TERN was subsequently de- the change in road signage, changing the habits of The Dutch have also introduced new modifications signed for display on standard road signs, consistent drivers may take longer, so a certain amount of in- in their motorway signage system. As in many other with the VMS version to ensure maximum likeness. formation should still appear on roads. Information countries, directional signs in Holland used down- VMS and standard road signs belong to the same that is repeated to drivers from outside their vehi- ward pointing arrows to show straight ahead direc- signage system, and therefore must match when cles provides security in case the system fails, and is tions, but on a GPS these arrows point upwards, so placed side by side or close together. also useful to make sure the system is working cor- in 2010 a massive overhaul of motorway signage The development of the TERN il- rectly. Drivers should be able to double-check if the began by the change in arrow direction. It is impor- lustrates how the initial attributes of a type for a information they receive both inside and outside the tant to note that when the government printed bro- new device can influence the final design of tradi- car matches. chures to inform of the changes, the fact that the di- tional road signs. The process begins with a set of Having established that some form of standard rection of the arrows on the signs matched the ones requirements to overcome the complexities of de- road signage will remain on roads, the next step is to on the GPS was presented as a benefit for drivers. signing for a new technology, and only when these define its content. What information should be left Another example of how new technologies can requirements have been met is the design applied simply to confirm instructions issued inside the car? influence road sign design is the TERN typeface to the more traditional system. The design process, When driving we usually follow a directional sign [image 4], created as a standard font to be displayed which has been reversed to emphasise the difficulty to one destination, or one that will lead us to our on VMS across the Trans-European Road Network of designing a typeface for a system based on new journey’s end. But on motorway junctions in busy that gives it its name (TERN). Given that this type technologies, has proven to be successful. TERN areas we are often presented with an overwhelming of signs developed faster than European Union reg- is currently being used on roads and motorways number of directional signs to various destinations. ulations on the matter, a programme has now been in , and is also the standard typeface on In the picture of a German motorway junction devised to standardise them, albeit according to the all VMS found on Dutch motorways. twelve destinations are orderly displayed on three specific VMS features of each country. panels [image 5]. However, if our GPS told us what The starting point for TERN was the creation of direction to follow, we could avoid having to find a typeface to be displayed on VMS/matrix signs. It Views on the Possible Future Impact our direction from among the twelve, and therefore had to be legible at a distance, at high speed, and on Road Sign Design skip a step in our decision process. The fact that had to be consistent with the different LED resolu- The two cases described exemplify how the in- signs displaying destinations take up a considerable tions in VMS across Europe. Resolution changes creased use of new technologies in road signage is amount of space is another reason to think that they according to the number of LED dots per sign, so already influencing its design. But what will hap- could disappear in future. the shape of letters can vary considerably from one pen when the devices mentioned earlier, that still For a long time, omitting destinations in some sign to another. In all, up to four different carefully have some reliability issues, are perfected? If these directional signs has been a common practice in the drawn versions of TERN were designed for display devices become dependable and can update drivers United States. At many road intersections a shield on VMS for drivers to find likenesses. TERN was regarding road conditions in an even more efficient with a route number identifies the road and an ar- also influenced by the fact that in many countries way than they do today, the number of drivers re- row gives the direction, and cardinal directions are VMS have reduced space in which to display infor- lying on GPS navigation is likely to increase at an also provided [image 6].

66 67 29 ELISAVA Temes de Disseny Joan Zalacain How New Technologies Could Change Road Signage in the Future

“The information displayed inside cars should be also appropriately designed, with all elements placed in an orderly manner” i Image 6. Route number shields with arrows and cardinal direction, United States. Photo: Footer.

i Image 5. Twelve destinations shown to drivers at the Frankfurter Kreuz junction, Germany. Photo: Thomas Pullicino. Conclusion most simplicity, cutting out everything which didn’t The strong and steady steps new technologies are actually say anything (like serifs on letters, and taking in road transport are obvious. As drivers boxes around lettering) and went on cutting and The idea of using road numbers alone could tination simply following lane numbers would be progressively rely on them to ensure smooth and cutting until we were left with the residue, and then be taken even further. Since drivers are being di- almost impossible. On the other hand, if road num- safe travel, they have gradually become an essential gave that the greatest value possible’.1 rected to their destination by route numbers, these bers are displayed, drivers could reach their destina- tool in this field. Moreover, governments use them As new technologies continue to advance, there could also be dropped and the system made even tions consulting road maps. extensively to enhance their communication with will come a point when essential and trustworthy simpler by just numbering the lanes on a motorway. The ideas presented here are suggestive of how drivers, a trend that appears to be on the increase information for drivers will be transferred from This could make things easier for drivers, given that signs could change in the future. Signs may become and should not be overlooked. roads to cars, a point when it is likely that the ‘cut- road numbering schemes in some countries can be smaller, include no destinations and have only num- The hypothesis presented on how new technolo- ting’ could start all over again. complex and result in roads being identified with bers to identifying lanes or roads. Arrows and num- gies may affect the design of road signs intends to il- long codes. Thus, the instruction ‘Take lane 3’ is bers would become more relevant and would conse- lustrate the fact that designers will necessarily have easier and faster to process than ‘Take the A627[M]’ quently be larger. Designs would confirm that what to face up to new challenges. In all likelihood, they (a motorway in the area of Manchester). drivers are being shown by their navigation systems will have to come up with clearer and smarter solu- Unfortunately, this idea has a couple of draw- corresponds to the directions they have to take to tions for rethinking a key device in road transport, backs. Even if it does manage to reduce the amount reach their destinations. The information displayed the road sign, which may have to undergo a radical of information outside vehicles to the minimum, it inside cars should be also appropriately designed, process of transformation. could also prove confusing to drivers. At each junc- with all elements placed in an orderly manner to In 1983 , designer of Britain’s road tion the direction one has to follow may change, and ensure drivers are not overloaded with unnecessary and motorway signage system in the sixties, de- since the layout of junctions can also change, one information that could prove distracting, or even scribed the approach he and his team took when could very well have to follow different numbers at block their field of vision. Data displayed inside and creating their iconic designs: ‘We went for the ut- every stage of one’s journey, and many changes can outside cars should have the same graphic design, be error-prone. Moreover, if the GPS system is down and this could be achieved if the information shown or the HUD in the car is unavailable, to reach a des- by such devices is regulated and standardised. 1 ‘The Ubiquitous Alphabets of Jock Kinneir’, quoted in O. Lund, ‘The Public Debate on Jock Kinneir’s Road Sign Alphabet,’ Typography Papers 5, University of Reading, Reading, 2003, pp.103-126.

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