Information in disguise : engaging the pedestrian.

The main purpose of this research is to make the urban space a more engaging place, for those people who move through it on a daily basis, through the use of digital technology. The paper focuses on two experiments namely 'Keeping Time' and 'The Handbag'. Both of these present diverse alternatives to current methods of traffic and traveller data collection, visualisation and presentation. The systems interact with the user and present traveller information using a novel approach that exploits wireless networks and sensors in an unobtrusive and artistic manner. 'Keeping Time' in a simple sense is a system for delivering real-time travel information in a locally sensitive and contextually relevant manner. It is intended to be placed at a point of passage and not to impose itself on the environment. As a pedestrian or traveller passing through the point of passage (e.g. side of the road, bus-stop, train depot) individuals can glean both an understanding of the current state of a transport system and experience brief amusement. As both artefact and information delivery system, 'Keeping Time' is a playful alternative to timetables and scales. In its present embodiment 'Keeping Time' maps the real-time flow of public transport to different visual representations. 'The Handbag' experiment is based around the metaphor of a bag containing and collecting valuables throughout the day. 'The Handbag' can function as a traditional accessory but can also collect virtual information as the wearer of the handbag moves through the city. The collected information will depend on mobility of the wearer, the route taken by the wearer, the time of day etc. 'Keeping Time' uses real-time public transport data to trigger a representational display (sensor controlled) of other entities such as light and weather. 'The Handbag' makes use of a city-based wireless network to deliver the information to the user. 'The Handbag' itself is embedded with a transceiver that collects the audio clips and sensors in the bag detect when it is opened and when playback of collected clips are triggered. For the covering abstract see ITRD E126595.