more posters

foto shopping spree

...is not coming along as quickly as planned. As I mentioned Sunday, in a rare turn of events, my office is extremely busy right now so I haven't been able to invest my mornings (as I normally would be able to) toward non-work-related efforts.

Here's a teaser using one of Brandon's recent photos that I liked:


Too Batman-esque?

Obviously this image lacks at least one critical thing: bikes. I was working on re-colouring some bikes to appear as though they are part of our bike share program but didn't finish yet..

Please offer your two cents regarding the color, placement, scale, yadda yadda yadda...

scanning bollard

Heres a few images from the scanning bollard I sketched-up on ssssKetchup:


It's eleven feet tall with the top three feet being illuminated... The RFID reader is embedded into the base of the illuminated portion, about 8 feet up, giving it a clear "view" of all the nearby bikes.


The interface is touch-screen with a cc slider, number pad for manual entry, and of course a small RFID reader for euro cc's that are equipped with RFID tags already.


Communications equipment can be stored in the top of the illuminated portion as to communicate with the network as a whole...


Of course you gotta add a Danish flag somewhere...

I'm going to photoshop these into some of brandon's photos, or others I can find of sleepier neighborhoods...

See y'all tomorrow.

Useful links - Check them out

The Paris Bike Share and the problems it has faced http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/31/world/europe/31bikes.html?hp

Paying with a cell phone: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/using-a-cellphone-number-to-pay-for-virtual-goods/?hp

RFID and Danish bikes: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/12/rfid_lights_up.php
http://www.see-mi.dk/Default.aspx?ID=91

Private bike rental and pricing in Kobenhavn: http://cykelboersen.dk/en/priser/
http://www.cph-bike-rental.dk/

a few interesting things:

a pedal powered bar via Inhabitat


And then I ran across this article which points out some of the shortcomings of the Paris bike share; including but not limited to - theft (one found in Romania), defacement, getting tossed in the Seine, etc...

food for thought

logistsics: booking, access + payment

4.1.1 THE BICYCLE DESIGN

What will the bicycle in the future bike share system look like?
Mixte bike frame, yellow color. Carbon Belt System. Built-in lights and basket. Carbon belt system. Two sizes: small and large.
Cargo bike

How will it work?


4.1.2 Storage

How is the bicycle stored when not in use?
Silos. Hexagonal wire mesh with green indigenous plants IN DRAWING:[include lighting, air pumps, interactive touch-screen LCD panel with the Ko website - for booking and payment purposes -, RFID card dispenser, unique silo number - for access thru text message]
Ballards
Re-cycled salvaged bicycle parts


4.1.3 [LOGISTICS] BOOKING, ACCESS AND PAYMENT

How do you book a bicycle from the bike share system?
There are a number of options, one is going to the “Ko” website and booking a bicycle from there.
Book a bicycle at the silos with a touch-screen LCD panel with the website.

How do you access a bicycle and drop it off again?
Radio Frequency IDentification [RFID]

How does the user pay/register for usage?
There will be RFID integrated in the new bike share bicycles to keep track of them in the system
[to be displayed on the web/phone application] and also as a direct form of sorting in the storage system.

There will be RFID cards for members to be obtained from signing up on the website
and then to be dispensed from the vending machines at the parking storage system.

If bicyclists with their own privately-owned bicycles wish to park their bicycles at the “Ko” silo, they will incur a minimal charge.





La Rochelle's bike share uses yellow bikes... http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/2009/10/french-bicycle-advocate-cycle-chic.html

y2 bike

I was just trying to figure out exactly where our commuter architect will be arriving from as he travels from Aarhus to good old Copenhagen and I stumbled on I guess what you could call Denmark's hopstop. After I did a search for his itinerary and the train schedule came up I was curious about the little CO2 symbol on the menu bar and low and behold after I hit it, a cute little propaganda-ish diagram came up with all the graphical numbers to make it clear that as a train traveler for today I was spending 14.2 Kg where as a car driver I would be wasting a big ol' 31.8 Kg's. This has me thinking about Copenhagen's campaign to become the ECO-METROPOLE OF THE WORLD by 1215...

STORAGE: green wall [images]

wire mesh

ivy, greenery

porous

a quick collage with the Copenhagen skyline [to be worked on further]:

SMIT's GROW

All this talk about ivy covered bike silos and solar and wind power harvesting has me thinking about the group SMIT and their research product GROW. The team was founded by a Pratt ID student and his sister the main product of the venture being his thesis project. I do believe most of us know their newest partner Ben Howes who graduated from Pratt architecture in '06. The system uses bio-mimicking leaf shaped pieces to harness solar and wind power.

"...GROW employs thin film photovoltaics with piezoelectric generators and screen printed conductive ink encapsulated in ETFE fluoropolymer lamination... Based around a modular brick system, GROW is composed of a small number of different parts. Each brick has 5 solar leaves which have a very flexible piezo generator at their stem. The manufacturing of these bricks could happen in a roll to roll printing process where PV, conductive ink, and piezo generators can be layered quickly and efficiently. The rolls can then be stamped and formed to create leaves and connection points. Each brick is designed so that at the end of their life cycle the valuable components, i.e. photovoltaic and piezo, can be stamped out and up cycled while the reusable material, i.e plastic, can be up recycled back into the production stream."


This is the blog from their early days in the venture and their current official site. Their solar ivy is due out this fall as a full working prototype/product line.

... and they have already had a piece of the Copenhagen action, they exhibited in the CPH Design Week 09.

RFID

I was writing back and forth with my brother and he has explained to me the infeasibility of GPS units in the bicycles. This is because of several good reasons:

1. cost prohibitive; the cost of outfitting a bike with GPS cound cost more than the bike itself.
2. not maintenance free; how would you service it if it was embedded in the frame for theft reasons?
3. power; establishing a way to provide enough power to send/receive data requires more than a hub generator... lights only take a few watts but GPS is a different story.

So we started chatting about RFID as he began to convince me of the negatives associated with GPS technology and after ward I did some research about different frequencies of Radio Frequency IDentification.


This company I found, SMARTRAC, makes different RFID products for handling information as simple as a serial number to as complicated as bank account information. Lamenting the impracticality of GPS (which would be a really cool, though cliche) I had an idea:

At races of all kind RFID is used determine the exact start and stop times of individual racerswith sensors over or next to the roadway.... Why don't we do the same thing here. like cellphone relay boxes, a powered RFID reader could ascertain in real-time the number and information of bikes passing that point. This isn't nearly as cost prohibitive of a system as GPS in thousands and thousands of bikes that will all conceivably somewhat different (especially if we dredge bikes out of the harbor). They could be attached like parasites on the sides of lamposts, that would feed a multitude of information (speed, direction, time, density relative rideable lane width, etc...) to a central database, as well as function with our zip-car styled share network online.

It could be like the bike counter that was mentioned here a while back


Also, I hate to plagarize, but the latest post about a bike parking area in DC uses a really clever rack system whose function is very clever... this pic pretty much says it all:


Anywho, thats what I've been doing recently, sorry about not making it last night... see y'all sunday.

Criteria

Here are some notes on the criteria:
[see above BMP for visual references. unfortunately blogger doesnt accept PDF files - so i had to export as a BMP - click on the image to enlarge.]


# 4.1.1 The Bicycle Design

BUILT IN components:
-GPS to generate real-live web application for smartphones, internet and available at display screens at main stations [this can be used as a planning tool by learning from patterns and therefore being able to plan in a smarter way.]
-accessories: lights, rack, basket, rear lock, solar power

RE-USE abandoned bicycles? 8,000 bicycles were abandoned in 2008 alone. In what way can these be re-used? ... create community-bonding workshops on bicycle mechanics and building workshop using these salvaged bicycles... ? Use the salvaged bicycle parts to reconstruct some of the stations?

3 types of bicycles, in 2 sizes, for a TOTAL OF 6 types of bicycles.
-townie. 3-speed. [commuter/tourist/copenhagener]
-cargo. [copenhagener]
-salvaged bicycles. [commuter/tourist/copenhagener]

2 sizes:
one to fit 4ft-5ft
one to fit 5ft+
???


# 4.1.2 Storage

Currently there are 34,800 parking spaces, including 1,000 mobile racks.

With the figure of 37% of residents biking to their school or workplace, that means that 150,000 cyclists enter Copenhangen every morning. There is a great need for more parking racks.

Solutions:
-Create more stations for the bike share, and allow for private bicycle owners to use these facilities. Private bicycle owners can tap into this system by paying a minimal yearly fee, which would help generate some revenue for the bike share program.
-Design and implement a modular parking system. These can be available for sale to commercial entities so that they can attract customers. This will create revenue for the bike share program. This type of solution would intelligently solve the issue with privatization of city sidewalks [if one exists, as it does in New York City].
-Utilize the unused wall space for a vertical parking solution.
-Utilize vacant lots for a vertical parking solution.


# 4.1.3 Booking Access and Payment

Commuter: booking and payment can be done online and/or on smartphone. Minimal annual fees for upkeep and maintenance.

Tourist: primarily deals with booking and payment at the physical stations, usually in the main squares. Payment is structured more like a minimal charged rental.

Copenhagener: booking and payment can be done online and/or on smartphone. Minimal annual fees for upkeep and maintenance.

Research other cities’ booking access and payment programs.
Paris, Lyon, Barcelona, Beijing, etc

How to generate revenue to maintain the bike share:
-modular bike racks [private commercial businesses]
-advertisement ‘space’ on bicycles and station kiosks and shelters


# 4.2.1 Overall Design Concept

Bicycle share name... ?

"If it’s monuments you’re after in Copenhagen, don’t look up. Look all around you, right there at street level. Our greatest monument is motion. It is a massive, constant, rhythmic and life-sized legacy."

free form
immediacey
dynamic
inter-connectivity
decentralized
real time
scale- micro macro
interplay
urbanity
inter reactionary
trifecta

A physical infrastructure is integral in a successful bike share [bicycles, racks, pick-up/drop off stations, bike tracks/lanes, etc]. In this proposal, a digital infrastructure is also integral in the success of the bike share [GPS on the bicycles, GIS application - Google mashup -, text messaging, etc].

GPS to generate real-live web application for smartphones, internet and available at display screens at main stations.


# 4.2.2 Design and Form

Copenhagen blue [bike lane]

Utilize a strong branding identity. [Historic emblems, color] BOLD, SYMBOLIC.
One way to think about using the city symbol: Create the station, and on the shelter, enlarge the logo so it becomes more of an abstraction.

Propose stages for implementation:
Once these stages have been created, the program can advance to a further state depending on
demand/need, as seen fit by the City.

Stage 1 - X amount of bicycles, X amount of parking spaces, X amount of stations, etc.
Stage 2 - As the program is deemed successful and there is more demand, increase in amount of bicycles, parking spaces, stations, etc.
Stage 3 - As the program expands, increase... and institute more solutions for the increase of bicycles and space for storage - use empty walls for a vertical solution; use vacant lots, etc.

Each stage becomes increasingly more complex in terms of increase of fleet, increase in parking, etc - general increase in the infrastructure.


# 4.2.3 Visibility User Friendliness and Logistics

Utilize a strong branding identity. [Historic emblems, color] BOLD, SYMBOLIC.

Utilize lighting system. Look to the symbolism in the NYC Transit system’s lighting - the glow of the Green orb when a station is open. Use the same soft, glowing but vibrant and intense type of light at the bike share stations. The stations’ level of illumination corresponds with the stations’ bicycle availability.


# 4.2.4 Interaction with the City

With growing popularity of cycling and the implementation of the new bike share, cycle track congestion proves as a challenge for city planners.

Prime motive for cycling: more and wider cycle tracks and fewer cars.

2015 GOALS:
- 50% of people will go to their work place or educational institution in Copenhagen by bike. [In 2008 , 37%]
- The number of seriously injured cyclists in Copenhagen to be halved compared to today. [118 cyclists]
- At least 80% of cyclists in Copenhagen to feel safe and secure in traffic [58%]


quick idea of how we can represent our 3 personas:

Fun with Acronyms

9 letter word(s):

DECLASSED.




8 letter word(s):

DECLASSE.




7 letter word(s):

CAPLESS, CLAPPED, CLASPED, CLASSED, DAPPLED, DAPPLES, DECADES, DECLASS, DELEADS, ELAPSED, ELAPSES, ESCAPED, ESCAPES, PADDLES, PEDALED, PEDDLES, PESADES, PLEADED, PLEASED, PLEASES, SADDLES, SCALDED, SCALPED, SEPALED, SLAPPED, SLEAZES.




6 letter word(s):

ADDLES, APPELS, APPLES, ASLEEP, CAPPED, CEASED, CEASES, CESSED, CLADES, CLASPS, CLEPED, CLEPES, DAPPED, DAPPLE, DECADE, DECALS, DELEAD, EASELS, ELAPSE, ESCAPE, JESSED, LAPPED, LAPSED, LAPSES, LEADED, LEAPED, LEASED, LEASES, PADDLE, PADLES, PALPED, PASSED, PASSEE, PASSEL, PEACED, PEACES, PEALED, PEASES, PEDALS, PEDDLE, PESADE, PLACED, PLACES, PLEADS, PLEASE, SADDLE, SALEPS, SAPPED, SCALDS, SCALED, SCALES, SCALPS, SCAPED, SCAPES, SEALED, SEPALS, SLEAZE, SLEEPS, SPACED, SPACES, SPADED, SPADES, SPALES, SPEEDS, SPEELS, ZAPPED.




5 letter word(s):

ADDLE, ADZED, ADZES, AEDES, ALECS, APPEL, APPLE, APSES, CADES, CAPED, CAPES, CASED, CASES, CEASE, CEDED, CEDES, CEPES, CLADE, CLADS, CLAPS, CLASP, CLASS, CLEPE, DACES, DALES, DAZED, DAZES, DEADS, DEALS, DECAL, DEDAL, DEEDS, DEEPS, DELED, DELES, EASED, EASEL, EASES, JADED, JADES, JAPED, JAPES, JEEPS, JESSE, LACED, LACES, LADED, LADES, LAPSE, LASED, LASES, LAZED, LAZES, LEADS, LEAPS, LEASE, LESES, PACED, PACES, PADLE, PALED, PALES, PALPS, PASES, PASSE, PEACE, PEALS, PEASE, PEDAL, PEDES, PEELS, PEEPS, PELES, PEPLA, PLACE, PLEAD, PLEAS, SADES, SALEP, SALES, SALPS, SCADS, SCALD, SCALE, SCALP, SCAPE, SEALS, SEEDS, SEELS, SEEPS, SEPAL, SLAPS, SLEDS, SLEEP, SPACE, SPADE, SPAED, SPAES, SPALE, SPECS, SPEED, SPEEL, ZEALS.




4 letter word(s):

ACED, ACES, ADDS, ADZE, AJEE, ALEC, ALEE, ALES, ALPS, APED, APES, APPS, APSE, ASPS, CADE, CADS, CAPE, CAPS, CASE, CEDE, CEES, CELS, CEPE, CEPS, CESS, CLAD, CLAP, DACE, DADS, DALE, DALS, DAPS, DAZE, DEAD, DEAL, DEED, DEEP, DEES, DELE, DELS, EASE, EELS, ELDS, ELSE, ESES, JADE, JAPE, JEED, JEEP, JEES, JEEZ, JESS, LACE, LACS, LADE, LADS, LAPS, LASE, LASS, LAZE, LEAD, LEAP, LEAS, LEES, LESS, PACE, PACS, PADS, PALE, PALP, PALS, PAPS, PASE, PASS, PEAL, PEAS, PECS, PEDS, PEED, PEEL, PEEP, PEES, PELE, PEPS, PLEA, PLED, SACS, SADE, SALE, SALP, SALS, SAPS, SCAD, SEAL, SEAS, SECS, SEED, SEEL, SEEP, SEES, SELS, SLAP, SLED, SPAE, SPAS, SPAZ, SPEC, SPED, ZAPS, ZEAL, ZEDS, ZEES, ZEPS.




3 letter word(s):

ACE, ADD, ADS, ADZ, ALE, ALP, ALS, APE, APP, ASP, ASS, CAD, CAP, CEE, CEL, CEP, DAD, DAL, DAP, DEE, DEL, EDS, EEL, ELD, ELS, ESS, JEE, LAC, LAD, LAP, LAS, LEA, LED, LEE, LES, LEZ, PAC, PAD, PAL, PAP, PAS, PEA, PEC, PED, PEE, PEP, PES, SAC, SAD, SAE, SAL, SAP, SEA, SEC, SEE, SEL, SPA, ZAP, ZAS, ZED, ZEE, ZEP.




2 letter word(s):

AD, AE, AL, AS, DE, ED, EL, ES, LA, PA, PE, ZA.

(all the labels did not fit in one post's label world 200 characer min.)