The Value of Information

Today's discussion, "How does your generation want to see information presented?"

• real life stories
• unbiased content
• proven facts

Design - purposeful communication

A successful design communicates a message, an emotion, and a response before the viewer reads any words.

During summer 2012, we will focus on communication and why design is so important to our efforts to improve transportation safety.

Group vs. Individual Process

At the beginning of our spring 2012 portfolio exchange we asked the following, "Will we work best as a group or will our individual processes and products rise above group productivity?"

• We began the project with enthusiasm and lots of ideas.
• A few weeks into the process we fell back on established patterns of individual work submitted as pieces of a project. 
• Our schedules filled up. With class assignments, spring break, and spring celebration we had less time to spend on "other" projects and activities. We focused on product rather than process.
• Posts became about safety information rather than thoughtful exchanges of ideas and strategies to adjust driving behavior.

Construction Zones

Construction zone safety

From March-November, Iowa may have up to 500 road construction work zones.

adjust speed

obey all signs and flaggers

do not follow other vehicles too closely (two second rule)

expect the unexpected!

Iowa DOT work zone safety awareness and tips for driving safely (pdf)

More Cyclists on the Road

motorcyclists:

Make yourself visible

- stay out of blind areas - use lane positioning

- use modulating headlamp

Allow space

- do not tailgate cars

- adjust for various road conditions

Ride smart

- watch weather forecast

- wear a helmet

- wear gear that increases your visibility

- flash brake light before stopping

- use turn signal

Be courteous and non-aggressive

- abide by the normal traffic rules

- do not weave

motorists:

• check for modulating headlamps
• always signal before changing lanes - check blind spots
• allow plenty of space - leave more following distance - adjust for rain, wind, terrain and speed
• watch intersections and when making left turns

motorists may be:

looking for larger vehicles

misjudging speeds

missing a motorcycle at stop signs and left turns

source: www.iowadot.gov/mre

Tunnel Vision

Tunnel vision may be defined as a loss of peripheral vision or only having the ability to see what is straight in front of an individual.

The banner above illustrates an instance of "tunnel vision." The driver is unaware how full their gas tank is and can only guess their current speed. Awareness begins by scanning the road, the cars around us, and the condition of our own car so we arrive at our destination safely.

Speak up!

If you are in the car and your friends aren't buckled up, speak up!

Iowa's safety belt usage rate is 93 percent.
Most Iowa Drivers Buckling Up - KCCI.com Des Moines
Know the Facts - Iowa DOT

Spring Poster Topics

motorcycle awareness
resources:
Iowa motorcycle rider education (Iowa DOT)
Iowa motorcycle safety forum (April 27, 2012)
Helmet laws (Governors Highway Safety Association)

more cyclists on the road
resources:
Iowa bikes (Iowa DOT)

construction zone safety

resources: work zone safety awareness and tips for driving safely (pdf) (Iowa DOT)

Gravel Roads

slow down

- it will take longer to stop than on a paved road

- it's easier to skid when turning

Drive-Ride

dust
if you can't see another vehicle in front of you

- put more space between you and the other vehicle

- allow for unexpected changes in other vehicle speed or direction

loose gravel
often builds up on sides of rural roads

- if tire enters loose gravel, steering control may be at risk

- loose gravel can pull you off the road if speed is too fast for conditions

source: Iowa DOT - Rural road crashes - they're preventable

at a snail's pace in the people's place

A lot of people don't realize the importance of speed when traveling through intersections, especially intersections where people frequent.

I was getting off work traveling down a very popular road where there are a lot of family homes and usually children out and about. I noticed a car driving a little too fast approaching the intersection and glanced to my left to see a ball fly into the street. I felt a lump in my throat as I imagined what was to come.

Luckily the little boy knew not to run in to the street after his toy because at the pace the car was going, there was no way either could have stopped in time.

Rural Roads

Drive-Ride

Following distances on rural roads:

- 2 seconds on state roads
- 3 seconds or more for rural paved roads
- 6 seconds or more on gravel or when road surface is wet or slippery

source: Iowa DOT - Rural road crashes
 - they're preventable

give space...a two seconds pace

I was driving down the interstate heading home after a long week of school. People seemed to be passing me like I wasn't moving. I tried to stay out of everyone's way but traffic was starting to back up and quickly was slowing down. I was surprised at how many people were slamming on their brakes. 

Suddenly, I noticed some orange cones and construction trucks approaching ahead. Then boom! The guy who passed me a few minutes before had been following another car too closely in the construction zone and caused a crash. If only he had given himself plenty of room, this all could have been avoided.

Personal-Community Narrative

This week we're exploring message and story. Stories can have a powerful impact on friends and peers, so it's important to think about the story we want to tell.

What do we want the reader to remember? Does the narrative have personal meaning or a community connection? Can we imagine ourselves in this situation?

The Power of Story

twitter.com/driveride

What Media Can Do

We see media every day, and it seems like sometimes every hour of our life. People and companies are always trying to get our attention to make us notice their product. You can't escape it.

How will our messages rise above all the daily noise?

The communication methods we choose may

• make issues more compelling to the public and increase the likelihood that people will engage in discussion
• decrease the chance that people will ignore the messages
• spread the messages farther and increase the speed at which communities take action for change
• keep issues on the public's agenda

Spring 2012 Team

Why did you choose your college major?

Project responsibility: social media
My majors are marketing and management. I first chose marketing because I like to analyze why people use a certain product and what draws them to it. I also like the creative side. I added management because it complements my marketing major and learning how to manage a business is an important part of the mix.

Project responsibility: graphic design
I chose this major because our generation values design. The use of line and tone and the balance between form, function, and aesthetics. I enjoy creating print design and web graphics that will make a contribution to everyday situations.

Individual or Group Work?

Spring 2012 focus:

• collaborate on group activities/projects
• build individual and group capacities by creating content
• share knowledge gained by connecting with an audience in ways that will inform and shape attitudes and behavior

Will we work best as a group or will our individual processes and products rise above group productivity?

Ice and Snow

Iowa winter travel information.
Source: Iowa DOT

Roundabouts

From twitter.com/driveride: helpful roundabout information.
Source: Iowa DOT

Disconnect & Drive

Thank you to all that attended the first Disconnect & Drive - smartphones and technology event!

Forget the Feeds, Watch your Speed

Backseat Your Technology

Drive First, Technology Later

Eyes on the Road, Not your Phone

Stay Connected with the Road

twitter.com/driveride

Iowa averages 500 traffic-related pedestrian injuries each year.

In 2009, there were 435 pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes involving one or more pedestrians with 434 injured.

Mannequins stand up for safety - Chicago

Forget the Feeds, Watch your Speed

Revving up the DriveRide Project to promote safety.

Buckle up and hold on!

Twitter: DriveRide

Drowsy Driving

Sleepiness can cause: 

• slower reaction times
• vision impairment
• lapses in judgment
• delays in processing information

Studies show that being awake for more than 20 hours results in an impairment equal to a blood alcohol concentration of .08.

And without realizing it, it's also possible to fall into a 3-4 second microsleep.

Preventing a fall-asleep crash:

• Get adequate sleep the night before a long drive.
• Avoid driving alone for long distances.
• Allow time to arrive at your destination rather than be too rushed.
• Avoid driving at times when you would usually be asleep.
• Take a break every 2 hours.

Source: drowsydriving.org