Comments on: Some more architectures of control for traffic management http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/12/22/some-more-architectures-of-control-for-traffic-management/ How do people use products, systems and environments? How can designers influence interaction? How can we design for sustainable behaviour? Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:34:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Process friction at fulminate // Architectures of Control http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/12/22/some-more-architectures-of-control-for-traffic-management/#comment-64086 Process friction at fulminate // Architectures of Control Tue, 29 May 2007 20:44:08 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/12/22/some-more-architectures-of-control-for-traffic-management/#comment-64086 [...] This is perhaps obvious, but is a good way to think about systems which are designed to prevent users carrying out certain tasks which might otherwise be easy - from copying music or video files, to sleeping on a park bench. Just as friction (brakes) can stop or slow down a car which would naturally roll down a hill under the force of gravity, so friction (DRM, or other architectures of control) attempts to stop or slow down the tendency for information to be copied, or for people to do what they do naturally. Sometimes the intention is actually to stop the proscribed behaviour (e.g. an anti-sit device); other times the intention is to force users to slow down or think about what they’re doing. [...] [...] This is perhaps obvious, but is a good way to think about systems which are designed to prevent users carrying out certain tasks which might otherwise be easy - from copying music or video files, to sleeping on a park bench. Just as friction (brakes) can stop or slow down a car which would naturally roll down a hill under the force of gravity, so friction (DRM, or other architectures of control) attempts to stop or slow down the tendency for information to be copied, or for people to do what they do naturally. Sometimes the intention is actually to stop the proscribed behaviour (e.g. an anti-sit device); other times the intention is to force users to slow down or think about what they’re doing. [...]

]]> By: Randomaction http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/12/22/some-more-architectures-of-control-for-traffic-management/#comment-27423 Randomaction Thu, 28 Dec 2006 20:37:21 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/12/22/some-more-architectures-of-control-for-traffic-management/#comment-27423 Rumble strips don't create optical illusions, they give a sense of actual speed. Driving straight off of a motorway, having driven for several hours at 70 mph, speed becomes relative. All of a sudden, in the space of a quarter mile, 0-30 mph becomes appropriate. *Fan of rumble strips, and those extra grippy approaches to crossings.* Rumble strips don’t create optical illusions, they give a sense of actual speed. Driving straight off of a motorway, having driven for several hours at 70 mph, speed becomes relative. All of a sudden, in the space of a quarter mile, 0-30 mph becomes appropriate. *Fan of rumble strips, and those extra grippy approaches to crossings.*

]]> By: LorriM http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/12/22/some-more-architectures-of-control-for-traffic-management/#comment-27208 LorriM Wed, 27 Dec 2006 02:25:19 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/12/22/some-more-architectures-of-control-for-traffic-management/#comment-27208 What an informative and interesting article, and one that each and every one of us should take time out to read, and ponder. Welcome to 9rules...congratulations. What an informative and interesting article, and one that each and every one of us should take time out to read, and ponder.

Welcome to 9rules…congratulations.

]]> By: None of http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/12/22/some-more-architectures-of-control-for-traffic-management/#comment-27176 None of Tue, 26 Dec 2006 18:50:59 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/12/22/some-more-architectures-of-control-for-traffic-management/#comment-27176 I find it interesting that the linked-to article on "crosshatched" confusing markings uses almost the exact phrase "creeping fascism" that I used in my comment to the earlier rising-bollards article here. I'm definitely not the only one noticing this trend in modern Britain and describing it in those terms. I find it interesting that the linked-to article on “crosshatched” confusing markings uses almost the exact phrase “creeping fascism” that I used in my comment to the earlier rising-bollards article here. I’m definitely not the only one noticing this trend in modern Britain and describing it in those terms.

]]> By: jason http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/12/22/some-more-architectures-of-control-for-traffic-management/#comment-26589 jason Sat, 23 Dec 2006 18:10:53 +0000 http://architectures.danlockton.co.uk/2006/12/22/some-more-architectures-of-control-for-traffic-management/#comment-26589 what a fantastic article. As a lifetime cyclist and pedestrian, I have always found issues of how to protect those user groups from motorists interesting. I had never thought about how increased traffic control can psychologically make people behave more irresponsibly. It makes sense, though. If you've ever visited a Wal Mart, you would see this in action as you walked from your car into the store. The parking lots are vast, and all signage and markings control vehicle traffic. Consequently, it can be harrowing as motorists whip about the lot. E.g., if one isn't walking thru the diagonal lines painted in front of the entrance(s), one feels as if one is fair game. Compound this with the fact that Americans like to drive monster SUVs with one hand while the other is working the cell phone. I would like to see a parking lot that was more park-like, with the design 'code' that it exists for peds - maybe even actually installed playground equipment for the kids - but cars are allowed to park there too. No lines, no curbs, no directional arrows. Cars would park haphazardly, sort of how you see in an overflow or dirt lot with no stripes, in self-organizing groups that would allow for entry/exit, albeit at a safe and sane rate. There would be no parking immediately in front of the store for emergency vehicle access. Near my hometown in Truckee, CA they have installed roundabouts at some intersections. They can be frightening, as most users will be respectful, while some others will just gun it right into traffic, ignoring the yield signs. There has been some discussion in the papers recently (and maybe on Slashdot too) about applying the 'no controls' concept to the US, but response has mostly poo-pooed the idea, saying that Americans wouldn't know what to do. I have to say I would mostly agree, but I would like to find a community here that tried it to see how it worked out. what a fantastic article. As a lifetime cyclist and pedestrian, I have always found issues of how to protect those user groups from motorists interesting. I had never thought about how increased traffic control can psychologically make people behave more irresponsibly. It makes sense, though. If you’ve ever visited a Wal Mart, you would see this in action as you walked from your car into the store. The parking lots are vast, and all signage and markings control vehicle traffic. Consequently, it can be harrowing as motorists whip about the lot. E.g., if one isn’t walking thru the diagonal lines painted in front of the entrance(s), one feels as if one is fair game. Compound this with the fact that Americans like to drive monster SUVs with one hand while the other is working the cell phone. I would like to see a parking lot that was more park-like, with the design ‘code’ that it exists for peds - maybe even actually installed playground equipment for the kids - but cars are allowed to park there too. No lines, no curbs, no directional arrows. Cars would park haphazardly, sort of how you see in an overflow or dirt lot with no stripes, in self-organizing groups that would allow for entry/exit, albeit at a safe and sane rate. There would be no parking immediately in front of the store for emergency vehicle access.

Near my hometown in Truckee, CA they have installed roundabouts at some intersections. They can be frightening, as most users will be respectful, while some others will just gun it right into traffic, ignoring the yield signs. There has been some discussion in the papers recently (and maybe on Slashdot too) about applying the ‘no controls’ concept to the US, but response has mostly poo-pooed the idea, saying that Americans wouldn’t know what to do. I have to say I would mostly agree, but I would like to find a community here that tried it to see how it worked out.

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