Traffic Signs Outlined by Traffic Signs Outlined by Solar-Powered LEDs Solar-Powered LEDs
(May06-06)(May06-06)
Team Members:Team Members: Alex BeecherAlex Beecher EEEE
Jason ChoseJason Chose EEEE
Jim KopaskaJim Kopaska EEEE
Matt TreskaMatt Treska EEEE
Client:Client: Senior DesignSenior Design
Faculty Advisors:Faculty Advisors: Professor John LamontProfessor John Lamont
Professor Ralph Patterson Professor Ralph Patterson IIIIII
April 24, 2006April 24, 2006
Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline
Alex BeecherAlex BeecherIntroductory MaterialIntroductory Material
Jason ChoseJason ChoseDesign ActivitiesDesign Activities
Jim KopaskaJim KopaskaTechnical ApproachesTechnical Approaches
Matt TreskaMatt TreskaResources and Resources and
SchedulesSchedules
DefinitionsDefinitions
DOT - Department of Transportation
PV – Photo Voltaic (refers to solar panels)
NiMH – Nickel Metal Hydride (type of battery)
Pb-SN – Lead-Tin (type of battery)
NiCd – Nickel Cadmium (type of battery)
NEMA – National Electric Manufacturers Association
NREL – Nation Renewable Energy Laboratory
AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments
Thanks to Dr. Dalal for his expertise on Thanks to Dr. Dalal for his expertise on solar energysolar energy
Thanks to DOT for donating stop signThanks to DOT for donating stop sign Thanks to NREL for email communications Thanks to NREL for email communications
pertaining to solar calculationspertaining to solar calculations Thanks to various local electrical Thanks to various local electrical
companies for donation of partscompanies for donation of parts
Problem StatementProblem Statement
Create LED-illuminated traffic signsCreate LED-illuminated traffic signs Solar-Powered with battery backupSolar-Powered with battery backup User definable software toolUser definable software tool Produce a more reliable and cost Produce a more reliable and cost
effective design to an existing effective design to an existing productproduct
Operating EnvironmentOperating Environment
Adverse weather extremesAdverse weather extremes Outdoor temperature extremesOutdoor temperature extremes Road side usageRoad side usage
Intended UsersIntended Users
Operators: DOT staff, city officials End users: motorists, schools,
construction zones
Intended UsesIntended Uses
Supplemental warning systems for drivers Immobile: Once installed remains
stationary Location: Roadside applications
AssumptionsAssumptions
Signs will dim to match ambient light conditions
Unit shall be operational in the continental 48 states
LED will match background color of signs Intended user has access to Microsoft
Office and can use Excel Signs will be powered to accommodate
abnormal weather patterns
LimitationsLimitations Cannot account for weather patterns not
following historical data LED flashing rate must be between 50 and
60 times per minute Unit cannot be protected from all forms of
vandalism Sunlight data used in the software can
only be given to a nearest location Installation shall be governed by
appropriate DOT/municipal ordinances Final product must adhere to all applicable
state and federal regulations
End Product & Other End Product & Other DeliverablesDeliverables
PrototypePrototype A fully working testable system
Software A fully functional Excel program for
traffic sign selection Performs calculations for necessary
components of a given application
Present Present AccomplishmentsAccomplishments
ResearchResearch 100%100% Order PartsOrder Parts 100%100% DesignDesign 100%100% TestingTesting 100%100% Software DevelopmentSoftware Development 100%100%
Approaches Considered Approaches Considered HardwareHardware
LEDsLEDs BatteryBattery Solar PanelSolar Panel Flasher Dimmer ModuleFlasher Dimmer Module Flasher ModuleFlasher Module Timer ModuleTimer Module PV Charge ControllerPV Charge Controller
Hardware UsedHardware Used
PV Charge ControllerPV Charge Controller 12V Solar Panel12V Solar Panel 55,200mCandella LED Cluster55,200mCandella LED Cluster Flasher Dimmer ModuleFlasher Dimmer Module
Approaches Considered Approaches Considered SoftwareSoftware
C++C++ JavaJava Visual BasicVisual Basic Selection bookletSelection booklet Microsoft Excel SpreadsheetMicrosoft Excel Spreadsheet
Software UsedSoftware Used
Microsoft Excel SpreadsheetMicrosoft Excel Spreadsheet
Changes in Project Changes in Project DefinitionDefinition
Hardware component remained Hardware component remained unchanged throughout the project unchanged throughout the project
Software component was added and Software component was added and requirements adjustedrequirements adjusted
Research ActivitiesResearch Activities
Project ComponentsProject Components
Research Activities:Research Activities: PV Charge ControllerPV Charge Controller
Prevents over current and over voltage damage to PV panel, battery, and circuit
Handles battery charging and power distribution to circuitry
Research Activities:Research Activities:LED ClusterLED Cluster
LED selection based on operational requirements
55.2 Cd cluster used on night use only signs
102.4 Cd cluster used on 24 hour operation signs
Color specific for each sign
Research Activities: Research Activities: Flasher Dimmer ModuleFlasher Dimmer Module
Ensures flashing rate between 50 and 60 times per minute
Integrated photoresistor allows automatic dimming of LEDs to match ambient light levels
Research Activities: Research Activities: Flasher ModuleFlasher Module
Used on chevron sign in lieu of flasher/dimmer module
Maintains flashing rate between 50 and 60 times/min
Research Activities: Research Activities: Timer ModuleTimer Module
Used on school crosswalk sign Allows user defined hours of operation
Research Activities: Research Activities: Solar PanelSolar Panel
Utilized on all signs Operates at 14.2V to
provide sufficient energy for 12V system
Research Activities: Research Activities: BatteryBattery
Operates at 12V and 1.5A
Suitable for use throughout continental U.S.
Design ActivitiesDesign Activities
The designs constructed for this project The designs constructed for this project included a stop sign, school cross walk included a stop sign, school cross walk sign, and a chevron curve signsign, and a chevron curve sign
Only the stop sign was implemented as a Only the stop sign was implemented as a prototypeprototype
Software design work was also completed Software design work was also completed and implementedand implemented
Stop Sign DesignStop Sign Design
School Cross Walk SignSchool Cross Walk Sign
Chevron Curve SignChevron Curve Sign
Software DesignSoftware Design
Implementation DesignImplementation Design
Originally design was only meant for the 3 Originally design was only meant for the 3 applications designed aboveapplications designed above
After completion of software package, After completion of software package, made it possible to design any sign the made it possible to design any sign the user desireduser desired
Physical construction and parts were Physical construction and parts were implemented exactly as previously implemented exactly as previously determined by the project teamdetermined by the project team
Testing ActivitiesTesting ActivitiesAfter sign construction, various characteristics were evaluated: Physical Integrity was tested to ensure the prototype Physical Integrity was tested to ensure the prototype
would stand on its own and properly hold all would stand on its own and properly hold all componentscomponents
Battery run time was checked by fully charging the Battery run time was checked by fully charging the battery and running the sign with no sunlight presentbattery and running the sign with no sunlight present
Solar sensitivity was tested by operating the sign Solar sensitivity was tested by operating the sign outside on days with no, light, and heavy overcastoutside on days with no, light, and heavy overcast
Blinking rate was checked by counting cycles per Blinking rate was checked by counting cycles per minute and ensuring it operated within DOT minute and ensuring it operated within DOT regulationsregulations
Other ActivitiesOther Activities
An interesting side to testing found was An interesting side to testing found was that varying the light output of a regular that varying the light output of a regular incandescent light bulb using a dimmer incandescent light bulb using a dimmer switch varied the solar power generated switch varied the solar power generated by the solar cellby the solar cell
Resources and ScheduleResources and Schedule
Final Personal Effort Final Personal Effort ChartChart
Task Name Alexander Beecher
Jason Chose James Kopaska Matthew Treska Total Hours
Select Signs 5 5 5 4 19Select LEDs 4 20 3 4 31Determine Electrical
Parameters
34 33 42 37 146
Select Solar Panel, Battery,
and other Hardware
35 37 39 37 148
Design Circuit 8 9 11 9 37Plan Construction 17 15 21 16 69
Construct Prototype
30 23 35 28 116
Test and Refine Prototype
32 33 (software) 35 31 131
Finalize Prototype 7 5 (software) 11 3 26
Documentation 18 18 17 19 72Poster 6 6 6 5 23
Software Development
16 39 21 22 98
Website Creation 15 2 2 2 21Updating Website 12 1 1 1 15
Total Hours 239 246 249 218 952
Final Time and Capital Final Time and Capital CostsCosts
Item Team Hours Other Hours Cost
Stop Sign 8 0 Donated
LEDs 13 0 $80.00
Battery 25 0 Donated
Solar Panel 28 0 $20.00
Project Poster 21 0 $25.00
Software 24 0 None
Mounting Hardware 10 0 $40.00
PV Charge Controller 12 0 $87.50
Flasher/Dimmer 10 0 $57.00
Total 151 0 $334.50
Final Project CostsFinal Project Costs
Item Cost Without Labor
Cost With Labor
Parts and Material Items:
a. Signs Donated Donated
b. LEDs $80.00 $80.00
c. Battery Donated Donated
d. Solar Panel $20.00 $20.00
e. Software None $264.00
f. Mounting Hardware $40.00 $40.00
g. Flasher/Dimmer $57.00 $57.00
h. PV Charge Controller $87.50 $87.50
Subtotal $284.50 $548.50
Labor at $11.00 per hour:
a. Alex Beecher $2629.00
b. Jason Chose $2706.00
c. Jim Kopaska $2739.00
d. Matt Treska $2398.00
Subtotal $10472.00
Total $11020.50
Final Project ScheduleFinal Project Schedule
Final Deliverable Final Deliverable ScheduleSchedule
Closure MaterialsClosure Materials
Project EvaluationProject EvaluationAll initial and additional milestones accomplished
Most part selections met or exceeded design Most part selections met or exceeded design expectations, though some parts were not obtained expectations, though some parts were not obtained on timeon time
Construction milestones were mostly met, though Construction milestones were mostly met, though the LED mounting deadline was missed due to late the LED mounting deadline was missed due to late parts and inaccessibility to a rivet gunparts and inaccessibility to a rivet gun
Testing milestones were well met, though variable Testing milestones were well met, though variable testing conditions would have been favorabletesting conditions would have been favorable
Overall, the project well met design parameters and Overall, the project well met design parameters and drew out ideas for improvement on future modelsdrew out ideas for improvement on future models
CommercializationCommercializationIf placed on the market, the sign could be sold at a price between $350 and $400
Sign parts cost just under $250.00Sign parts cost just under $250.00 One person could construct the sign in four hoursOne person could construct the sign in four hours
At $11/hour, labor would cost $44.00At $11/hour, labor would cost $44.00 Without software, construction costs $294.00Without software, construction costs $294.00 Once software is produced, it takes minimal time Once software is produced, it takes minimal time
and resources to reproduce for each customerand resources to reproduce for each customer
Additional WorkAdditional Work
Since the sign is intended to work across Since the sign is intended to work across the continental U.S., the prototype would the continental U.S., the prototype would be tested in different localesbe tested in different locales
Given a larger budget additional Given a larger budget additional technology, such as wireless interfaces, technology, such as wireless interfaces, would be added for sign diagnostics and would be added for sign diagnostics and programming specific use eventsprogramming specific use events
Lessons LearnedLessons LearnedIf the project were to be repeated: Software design would start earlierSoftware design would start earlier Parts would be ordered earlierParts would be ordered earlier The prototype would be made to a smaller scaleThe prototype would be made to a smaller scale A different sign would be prototypedA different sign would be prototyped
Risk and Risk Risk and Risk ManagementManagement
Anticipated RisksAnticipated Risks Loss of a team member, failure to use Loss of a team member, failure to use
technologytechnology Unanticipated RisksUnanticipated Risks
Budget affected part selectionBudget affected part selection Team member illnessesTeam member illnesses Scheduling conflictsScheduling conflicts Loss of data due to digital storage failureLoss of data due to digital storage failure
Closing SummaryClosing Summary
The goal of the project was to create a traffic device that would save drivers’ lives.
This goal was met due to the team’s research into the parts and technology used in the project’s construction, along with constructing a reference program that allows users to obtain a sign catered to their sign’s uses.
Demonstration!!!Demonstration!!!
Questions?Questions?