Insight receives "red dot" award for Luma Lane concept
October 23, 2007 – For its outstanding design concept, Insight has received one of the most coveted design prizes worldwide: the 'red dot' for Luma Lane, a conceptual intelligent urban bike path.
As traffic in urban areas reaches almost unbearable levels, the number of commuter cyclists is on the rise. Various urban green efforts are taking hold in an attempt to reduce the number of motor vehicle commuters and the greenhouse gasses they emit. While more cyclists on the road helps the environment, the issue then becomes the infrastructure available to urban cyclists. Insight's on-going research efforts point to the need for an increased level of safety for cyclists.
Luma Lane helps cyclists endure the rigors of city riding, as bike lanes in most metropolitan areas are simply paths designated by a painted line. In addition, the lanes are situated between traffic on the left and parking on the right, which provides no physical barrier for cyclists, or any physical feedback for motorists to let them know they're intruding in the lane. The Luma Lane system provides an easy to install and environmentally responsible retrofit solution.
Luma Lane utilizes low-tech illumination and RFID sensing technology to improve road safety for cyclists. Using LEDs, the pods alert motorists to cyclists on the path, as well as provide extended path illumination for dusk or night time riding. The pods are permanently affixed to the pavement, and an incremental 'smart' pod contains a RFID reader that detects an attached RFID system tag cyclists purchase from the city.
"Our design team created an original solution for many urban areas where bicycles are a primary transportation alternative," said Steve McPhilliamy, director of design. "We are excited the red dot committee recognized the need for this concept."
The assessment of design concepts is carried out by an international jury of design experts. They examine the concepts and assess them according to criteria such as degree of innovation, realisation possibility, functionality and usefulness, as well as ergonomics and human interface. This quality seal for good design is awarded annually in the international 'red dot design concept' competition by a jury of experts.
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Tara Prasad
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773.907.0100 x255
tprasad(at)insightpd.com