#1 FIRST LESSON OF PROJECT – SOLAR POWER TRAFFIC LIGHTS

I know that you may have not heard from me for a while, this is because I just had term holidays. Today we were actually began to start our projects.

To begin the lesson with, I designed a table of goals which had all the topics I needed to cover and the weeks I would complete them in. Next week I am aiming to do some scientific drawings of what my solar powered traffic lights will look like and the measurements for them, as well as begin my materials list and costings.

TOPIC	AIM	ACTUAL COMPLETE DAY
Title page	LAST
Contents/tabs	LAST
Proposal	WEEK 1	WEEK 1
Research	WEEK 1	WEEK 1
Diary/log	DURING PROCCESS
Drawings	WEEK 2
Materials lists and costings	WEEK 2-3
Risk assessment	WEEK 3
PROCCESS	WEEKS 4-6
Design process photos of progress	WEEK 7
Evaluation	WEEK 7
Bibliography	DURING PROCCESS

After this, I wrote my proposal and started and almost finished my research. I included many things in my proposal, for example, the good and bad things, the directed audience and the problem it is addressing. As for my research, I looked at what solar powered traffic lights were and the comparison to normal traffic lights, I looked at how to 3D print (as I am thinking of 3D printing the box where all the circuits will be placed), I researched how solar panels work and I also recorded all the links which I used (including the links of some useful videos).

To prove that I have done the proposal and almost finished my research, I have copied and pasted it down below.

PROPOSAL

My idea is an eco-friendly way to direct and control traffic. I will aim to create solar powered traffic lights. I think that this idea will have a positive impact on the environment as instead of using man-made energy, renewable energy can be used. By doing this, we can take the sun for granted and use it instead of wasting it. Traffic lights are present everywhere in high populated areas and solar panels are not commonly used among traffic controls.

The issue that I am addressing is environmental damage and pollution. Solar panels are an eco-friendly way to use the sun’s rays to power appliances. Solar panels are also recyclable and can be reused for other purposes. I think that this can also help minimise landfill. Furthermore, instead of digging up the ground and running powerlines underneath the surface, the solar powered system is wireless and just needs to be connected to a system that keeps track of the light sequences.

My target audience is anyone in the world that drives a vehicle, rides a bike or walks or crosses a road.

The only downside to this idea is that:

They would have to be regularly cleaned
There would need to be a backup battery in case of a day where there is no sunlight
They are easier to disconnect
They would need to be waterproofed
They would need to be checked in general regularly
Costs

In conclusion, this idea is good for the environment as this may minimalize landfill and uses renewable energy. I think that this may also help erosion in the ground as there would not be digging under the ground, this makes laying roads easier. In my opinion, we don’t use the energy of the sun enough and I think that this is a good way to use it and take it for granted. If normal traffic lights are damaged and need to be removed, they are likely to go into landfill because their materials are not recyclable. I think that using solar panels can help minimalize landfill and then later minimalize pollution.

RESEARCH

Solar panels:

Most solar traffic lights use LED lamps as they are more reliable, but normal traffic lights use bulbs with mercury in them. Solar powered bulbs have more advantages over other lighting devices like CFL lamps as they are more energy efficient, turn off quickly and have a longer life span. Solar traffic lights contain enclosures which house the batteries and the control panel circuitry. Solar powered traffic lights also come in handy when there are power outages as they don’t need manmade energy to sustain them.

Wiring:

Wiring occurs under the ground and is very expensive to install. It may cause erosion in the ground and destroy the original health of the soil and ground. This process may also take a long time to install and prepare.

HOW SOLAR PANELS WORK – WORK IN PROGRESS

PROCESS: