MOUNTAIN ROAD OPTIMIZATION
Role
User experience design, Human-computer interaction design
Tool
Matlab, P5.js, Arduino
Client
Yolo
Duration
20 weeks
Background
Jixi County, located in southeastern China, is known for its mountains and streams, which attract many tourists with their beautiful scenery. However, the narrow roads make it difficult for vehicles traveling in opposite directions to pass at the same time, creating potential safety risks for both residents and visitors. Based on our research, we designed a low-cost system to temporarily address this problem.
Road Condition Analysis
The roads were built after the villages, so they run alongside farmlands, residences, cliffs, reservoirs, and even chicken coops and monuments. As a result, widening the roads to allow vehicles traveling in opposite directions to pass side by side was not practical.
Vehicle Count Analysis
Due to the growth of the local tourism industry, there were more construction trucks and tourist cars on the mountain roads. We predicted a significant increase in tourist traffic once the local attractions were completed, which could worsen the problem.
Local Economic Situation Analysis
Jixi County is located in a mountainous region of China and is considered relatively underdeveloped. The local government lacks sufficient funds for road improvement, so we needed to find a cost-effective solution to address the problem.
Ideation
Considering the local conditions, optimizing the traffic system by strategically designating specific locations for vehicles to meet would be the most effective solution.
Potential Meeting Point Analysis
After field research, we identified 19 potential meeting points on the mountain roads, including 2 wide ones and 17 narrow ones. The analysis of the characteristics and conditions of these meeting points is as follows.
Meeting Point Type Analysis
We analyzed the types of vehicles that different meeting points can accommodate simultaneously.
Algorithmic Logic
We marked the meeting points along the mountain road from the foot to the top, assigning serial numbers from 1 to 19, and divided the entire road based on these points. We designed an algorithmic logic to ensure all vehicles meet at the designated points.
Simulation Test
We used P5.js to test the algorithm logic and evaluate the effectiveness of the meeting point settings. The link provides access to our code and test results, where you can control the traffic flow.
Meeting Point Choosing
All the meeting points on the map were arranged in a straight line. Based on their locations and distances from each other, 7 meeting points were chosen as the most suitable, including 2 wide points and 5 narrow points. These meeting points divide the entire road into 8 sections, each requiring approximately 2 minutes of driving time.
Traffic Control Method
We analyzed the pros and cons of various traffic control methods. Considering it is an underdeveloped area where most residents are unfamiliar with traffic rules, boom barriers were chosen for their direct and enforceable approach to traffic control.
Prototype Development
Infrared sensors monitor approaching vehicles at the meeting points, while micro servo motors simulate boom barriers. Following the algorithmic logic of P5.js, code was written in the Arduino IDE to control the micro servo motors, making them rotate at different angles based on signals from the infrared sensors.
In this process, we found that the function can be achieved by placing one micro servo motor at each meeting point, paired with an infrared sensor on each side. This setup can be scaled and nested according to the number of meeting points on the road.
Vehicles Meeting Storyboard
A sandbox was created and tested using remote-controlled cars to simulate real-world traffic scenarios.
Cash Flow Forecast
Each meeting point, along with the entrances and exits at the foot and top of the hill, requires a set of facilities, including an Automatic Vehicle Identification System (AVIS) for counting vehicles on the road and boom barriers for traffic control. In total, nine sets are needed. Additionally, workers are required for installation. We estimated that the total cost is approximately 153,000 CNY.
Application
The design was implemented in real-world scenarios in 2024.
