Siren Scout
Navigating the sirens, safeguarding your drive.
Siren Scout
Navigating the sirens, safeguarding
your drive.
Siren Scout
Navigating the sirens, safeguarding your drive.
Siren Scout
Navigating the sirens, safeguarding
your drive.
Siren Scout
Navigating the sirens, safeguarding your drive.
Siren Scout
Navigating the sirens, safeguarding
your drive.
Project detail
Project detail
Project detail
Overview
Siren Scout is a car safety system that enhances driver awareness and responsiveness by accurately detecting the direction of emergency vehicle sirens. By integrating (futuristic) advanced audio detection technology with intuitive dashboard alerts, Siren Scout ensures drivers can swiftly identify the location of approaching ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars.
The Problem
In busy and noisy driving environments, it can be difficult for drivers to accurately determine the direction of an approaching emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance, fire truck, or police car. This uncertainty can lead to delayed reactions, creating confusion on the road and increasing the risk of accidents. Traditional audio cues from sirens are often insufficient, especially in dense urban areas or when windows are closed, leading to potentially dangerous situations where drivers are unable to yield in time.
Overview
Siren Scout is a car safety system that enhances driver awareness and responsiveness by accurately detecting the direction of emergency vehicle sirens. By integrating (futuristic) advanced audio detection technology with intuitive dashboard alerts, Siren Scout ensures drivers can swiftly identify the location of approaching ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars.
The Problem
In busy and noisy driving environments, it can be difficult for drivers to accurately determine the direction of an approaching emergency vehicle, such as an ambulance, fire truck, or police car. This uncertainty can lead to delayed reactions, creating confusion on the road and increasing the risk of accidents. Traditional audio cues from sirens are often insufficient, especially in dense urban areas or when windows are closed, leading to potentially dangerous situations where drivers are unable to yield in time.
2x
more likely for police
car crashes occur in
emergency mode*
2x
more likely for police
car crashes occur in
emergency mode*
6,500
ambulance crashes each
year**
6,500
ambulance crashes each
year**
35%
of the ambulance
crashes result in severe
injuries or death**
35%
of the ambulance
crashes result in severe
injuries or death**
* Data from UI College of Public Health, ** Data from NHTSA
Why is it so challenging to determine the direction of emergency siren sounds?
The Doppler effect makes it hard to pinpoint emergency siren direction because it alters the pitch as the vehicle moves: higher when approaching and lower when moving away. This frequency shift, combined with environmental noise and multiple sirens, distorts direction and confuses drivers.
Why is it so challenging to determine the direction of emergency siren sounds?
The Doppler effect makes it hard to pinpoint emergency siren direction because it alters the pitch as the vehicle moves: higher when approaching and lower when moving away. This frequency shift, combined with environmental noise and multiple sirens, distorts direction and confuses drivers.
?
What measures can be implemented to ensure road safety for both emergency vehicles and other drivers?
Solution
Siren Scout improves road safety by using audio detection to pinpoint the direction of emergency vehicle sirens. The system provides visual and auditory alerts on the dashboard, helping drivers quickly and accurately respond to approaching emergency vehicles. This technology enhances driver awareness and reduces confusion, ensuring timely and safe reactions in noisy environments and complex traffic situations.
Solution
Siren Scout improves road safety by using audio detection to pinpoint the direction of emergency vehicle sirens. The system provides visual and auditory alerts on the dashboard, helping drivers quickly and accurately respond to approaching emergency vehicles. This technology enhances driver awareness and reduces confusion, ensuring timely and safe reactions in noisy environments and complex traffic situations.
Research
User Interview
Before developing Siren Scout, I conducted user research to understand driver needs and challenges related to emergency vehicle detection. This research aimed to uncover how drivers currently manage emergency siren sounds, their safety concerns, and their preferences for technology in their vehicles.
Survey Questions:
How often do you encounter emergency vehicles while driving?
Research
User Interview
Before developing Siren Scout, I conducted user research to understand driver needs and challenges related to emergency vehicle detection. This research aimed to uncover how drivers currently manage emergency siren sounds, their safety concerns, and their preferences for technology in their vehicles.
Survey Questions:
How often do you encounter emergency vehicles while driving?
responded '2-3
times a week'
responded '2-3
times a week'
responded
'every week'
responded
'every week'
responded once
'every 2 weeks'
responded once
'every 2 weeks'
How do you currently determine the direction of emergency vehicle sirens?
"I usually turn down the music and listen closely."
"I rely on the sound getting louder as the vehicle gets closer, but it’s not always accurate."
"I check my mirrors , but sometimes I just have to guess."
How do you currently determine the direction of emergency vehicle sirens?
"I usually turn down the music and listen closely."
"I rely on the sound getting louder as the vehicle gets closer, but it’s not always accurate."
"I check my mirrors , but sometimes I just have to guess."
How often have you experienced difficulties or confusion when trying to locate emergency vehicles?
How often have you experienced difficulties or confusion when trying to locate emergency vehicles?
responded
'very often'
responded
'very often'
responded
'sometimes'
responded
'sometimes'
responded once
'not very often'
responded once
'not very often'
responded '2-3
times a week'
responded
'every week'
responded once
'every 2 weeks'
Before After
* Data from UI College of Public Health, ** Data from NHTSA
responded
'very often'
responded
'sometimes'
responded once
'not very often'
How do you currently determine the direction of emergency vehicle sirens?
"I usually turn down the music and listen closely."
"I rely on the sound getting louder as the vehicle gets closer, but it’s not always accurate."
"I check my mirrors , but sometimes I just have to guess."
Before After
Findings
The findings from this survey highlight significant challenges drivers face in determining the direction of emergency vehicle sirens. Many drivers rely on auditory cues and visual confirmation, but these methods often lead to confusion, especially in noisy or crowded environments. The majority of respondents reported difficulty accurately locating emergency vehicles, which can delay their response and potentially compromise road safety for both sides.
Findings
The findings from this survey highlight significant challenges drivers face in determining the direction of emergency vehicle sirens. Many drivers rely on auditory cues and visual confirmation, but these methods often lead to confusion, especially in noisy or crowded environments. The majority of respondents reported difficulty accurately locating emergency vehicles, which can delay their response and potentially compromise road safety for both sides.
Affinity diagram
Design
Wireframes
Low-fidelity wireframe sketch
Wireframes
Low-fidelity wireframe sketch
Mid-fidelity wireframe
Mid-fidelity wireframe
User feedback & revisions
After creating the wireframes, I asked for user feedback before proceeding to designing the mockups. The participants were asked to interact with the wireframes and provide their thoughts on the usability, design, and overall functionality. The users all felt that this idea would significantly improved their awareness of emergency vehicles, making them feel safer and more confident on the road
Key feedback highlights:
Ease of use: Users appreciated the intuitive layout but suggested simplifying elements to minimize distractions while driving.
Visual alerts: Many users emphasized the importance of clear and prominent visual alerts, recommending larger icons and more distinct color contrasts for better visibility.
User feedback & revisions
After creating the wireframes, I asked for user feedback before proceeding to designing the mockups. The participants were asked to interact with the wireframes and provide their thoughts on the usability, design, and overall functionality. The users all felt that this idea would significantly improved their awareness of emergency vehicles, making them feel safer and more confident on the road
Key feedback highlights:
Ease of use: Users appreciated the intuitive layout but suggested simplifying elements to minimize distractions while driving.
Visual alerts: Many users emphasized the importance of clear and prominent visual alerts, recommending larger icons and more distinct color contrasts for better visibility.
Prototype
User Testing
User feedback
As this platform is a futuristic concept, I was unable to conduct a real-world test. However, I guided them through each stage of the prototype to gather feedback on its design and functionality. To gather valuable insights, participants were invited to interact with the prototypes through various scenarios that the platform might present in actual use.
"The dashboard alerts are clear and easy to follow. It’s great to have something that helps me stay focused on the road."
"The directional diagram and map are particularly useful, helping me pinpoint exactly where the siren is coming from."
"This idealistic platform would be very reassuring for all drivers. It would make me feel safer knowing I have an extra set of 'eyes' on the road with me."
User Testing
User feedback
As this platform is a futuristic concept, I was unable to conduct a real-world test. However, I guided them through each stage of the prototype to gather feedback on its design and functionality. To gather valuable insights, participants were invited to interact with the prototypes through various scenarios that the platform might present in actual use.
"The dashboard alerts are clear and easy to follow. It’s great to have something that helps me stay focused on the road."
"The directional diagram and map are particularly useful, helping me pinpoint exactly where the siren is coming from."
"This idealistic platform would be very reassuring for all drivers. It would make me feel safer knowing I have an extra set of 'eyes' on the road with me."
Iterations
Before After
Before After
Before After
The alert drop-down isn't noticeable enough,
particularly when the driver is focused
on driving.
The alert drop-down isn't noticeable enough,
particularly when the driver is focused
on driving.
The alert drop-down isn't noticeable enough,
particularly when the driver is focused
on driving.
The alert is more noticeable as it now
takes up the entire screen and blurs
the background.
The alert is more noticeable as it now
takes up the entire screen and blurs
the background.
Iterations
Before After
Before After
The direction of the ambulance relative
to the car is not as clearly indicated.
The direction of the ambulance relative
to the car is not as clearly indicated.
Not only can the driver see the location
of the ambulance, but the system also includes
a sensor to sense the direction.
Not only can the driver see the location
of the ambulance, but the system also includes
a sensor to sense the direction.
Reflection
- The user-centric approach I took: Engaging with users was not just a step in the design process—it was central to the project's success. Given the critical nature of the Siren Scout system, which aims to enhance road safety and potentially save lives, it was essential to deeply understand the needs and experiences of the users. This understanding was pivotal because the effectiveness of the system hinges on its ability to address real-world driving challenges effectively. Since the project's focus was on a highly impactful safety feature, the feedback from users became a fundamental element in shaping the prototype. Users’ insights helped identify practical issues that might not have been evident through initial design phases alone.
- Embracing innovation: Working on Siren Scout was an opportunity to push the boundaries of conventional design and explore innovative solutions to a pressing safety issue. Embracing a futuristic approach required thinking beyond traditional methods and imagining how technology could transform real-world scenarios.
Reflection
- The user-centric approach I took: Engaging with users was not just a step in the design process—it was central to the project's success. Given the critical nature of the Siren Scout system, which aims to enhance road safety and potentially save lives, it was essential to deeply understand the needs and experiences of the users. This understanding was pivotal because the effectiveness of the system hinges on its ability to address real-world driving challenges effectively. Since the project's focus was on a highly impactful safety feature, the feedback from users became a fundamental element in shaping the prototype. Users’ insights helped identify practical issues that might not have been evident through initial design phases alone.
- Embracing innovation: Working on Siren Scout was an opportunity to push the boundaries of conventional design and explore innovative solutions to a pressing safety issue. Embracing a futuristic approach required thinking beyond traditional methods and imagining how technology could transform real-world scenarios.