Preservation of human life is of the utmost importance. Whatever can be done to further this cause should be effectively implemented. It is the goal of this design team to do just that. A crosswalk sign with flashing LEDs shall be designed and produced with the purpose of attracting motorist’s attention to the crosswalk and to the pedestrians crossing the street. Once the signs are in place, the design team feels that pedestrian safety shall be increased, and the likelihood for motorist- pedestrian collisions shall be greatly reduced. Closing Summary May Estimated Personnel Hours (781 Total Hours) Estimated Cost ($10,662, including labor) Estimated Resources Project Schedule Abstract In late 2005 an Iowa State student was struck by a charter bus while crossing a street on campus. This incident may have been avoided if there had been some sort of warning system to alert the driver of the bus that there was a pedestrian crossing the street. The objective of this project is to produce crosswalk signs capable of grabbing the attention of motorists, and in doing so, reduce the chance for an accident. The crosswalk signs will be the standard diamond crosswalk signs with LEDs mounted in each corner. These LEDs will flash to attract motorist’s attention to the crosswalk. Also, the LEDs will flash during specified high traffic times throughout the day and also be available “on demand” through the use of a pushbutton at the signs. Introduction Project Requirements Approach and Considerations Dr. John Lamont (EE/CprE) Dr. Ralph Patterson, III (EE/CprE) Dr. Greg Smith (EE/CprE) Team Members Advisors Client David Wallace (CprE/Team Leader) Dustin Nekvinda (EE/Comm. Cord.) Jake Bonner (EE) Hieu Pham (EE) Brian Schnurr (EE) Doug Houghton ISU Department of Public Safety Program Manager Design Objectives Operation: Operate automatically with no human intervention User interface: Pushbutton and automatic LED flashing Physical constraints: Meets all DOT and MUTCD regulations Functional Requirements Sign Display: Capture motorist attention, warn motorist of pedestrian Reliability: Functional in the absence of sunlight up to 5 days Pushbutton: Activate sign PIC: Keep track of real time, signal the activation of sign’s LEDs Controller: Activate sign’s LEDs Communication network: Proper transmitting and receiving of information between PIC and controller Charger: Protect battery and loads from over voltage and current Design Constraints Economic: Cost effective and affordable Weather: Operable in adverse weather and temperature conditions Power consumption: Low power consumption Vandalism: Withstand a reasonable degree of vandalism Proposed Approach Master system will control all signaling sign(s) Prototype system will be solar powered Communications between master control and slave will use Bluetooth chips Sign LEDs will flash either when button is pushed or during class breaks Monday through Friday Technologies Considered Bluetooth communications DC (Solar) powered source PIC microcontroller master system Testing Considerations Subsystems component interaction Integrated systems testing Outdoor site testing Problem StatementAssumptions Operating Environment Limitations Intended Users and Uses Expected End Product Software previously developed is accurate and usable System will flash LED’s only during class breaks and when demanded by pedestrian LED’s will flash no less than 50 and no more than 60 times per minute System cannot be completely protected by vandalism Prototype will be fully functional using wireless communication and solar power System will be implemented at a location on the Iowa State University campus Design and implement a prototype LED crosswalk system Use solar power and wireless communication to achieve result Install system at a campus location Typical Iowa climate (-25°C to 80 ° C) Varied types of precipitation Typical Iowa wind gusts (up to 60 mph) Iowa State University Department of Public Safety, motorists and pedestrians will all use this system The intent is to alert drivers of possible pedestrians crossing