Researchers have come up with an amazing hi-tech bus station as part of the new bus line of Zaragoza, designed for the 2008 World Expo in Zaragoza, Spain. Interestingly, the new Internet-enabled urban shelter is ‘ever-changing’ unlike the conventional bus stops. It allows passengers to plan their ideal routes by interacting with the community via the Web!
A new layer of digital interactions has been introduced in this new bus station by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers. Called the Adaptable Bus Stop, the new shelter starts with a newly designed computer program. Each bus stop will be capable of sending a wireless Internet signal to a neighboring bus stop, thus creating a wireless mesh network across the city.
Each bus plying the route will be equipped with a GPS transmitter! It will use the transmitter to send real-time location information to each structure. A touch-sensitive map will also be installed to allow travelers press a destination and receive advice about the shortest travel route!
A city official plugs the parameters into the computer program that are unique to a location. Using the parameters, the program then generates a structural blueprint for the ideal shelter required and fits that space. It is then built according to the size of the roof and bench that is required according to the direction it should face to offer optimal protection from sun, wind and rain.
Illustration: Assaf Biderman/MIT
