In this project, a scale-model of a Smart Speed Bump, which can inflate or deflate on emergency vehicle request was designed. The design was also discussed in student led focus groups. An embedded system that commands such a speed bump was developed, based on a 68HC11 evaluation board. This board is interconnected to another board that features a Seiko iChip. The iChip is a component that performs all the TCP/IP communication and therefore, allows easy Internet connection for any embedded system. The connection between the embedded system and the real inputs and outputs was not implemented in this project phase. The program that runs the Smart Speed Bump was written in C language, with state machine architecture. It is compiled with IAR embedded workbench. An email report engine based on the iChip was developed with Seiko Development Kit. Then, it was integrated in the Smart Speed Bump program. The focus groups were formed through students in the Department of Community Planning. Several groups questioned the effectiveness of speed bumps in general, noting that they often observe drivers slowing down to go over speed bumps and then speeding up again. A second effectiveness concern dealt with traffic congestion. The focus groups were afraid that widely used speed bumps would increase traffic congestion. (Author/publisher)
Abstract