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vertical laserbeams on bus and tram

 indicator high up in the sky for a bus or tram a few blocks away
  (+8)(+8)
(+8) 		  [vote for,
against]

Vertical laser beam on the roof of each bus and tram you can see high up in the sky, indicating that you are only a few blocks away from a tram or bus stop. When waiting for the bus or tram you can see it the laserbeam approaching even if you can't see the bus or tram.

Some cities use different colours for their public transport lines. The laser beams can get the same colour. Or if the lines are numbered, the number can be drawn up high in the sky.

It can start as a temporary art project to show traffic flows or something, but after a few months people will protest if there is talk of ending the project.

—rrr, Jan 07 2004

(?) vote me into the Amsterdam City Counsel http://www.halfbake...20political_20party
the anti-political party concept I was referring to to get me elected. First in Amsterdam, then national. [rrr, Oct 04 2004]

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       I'd prefer a live proximity public transportation map on my cellphone, but a +
—theircompetitor, Jan 07 2004
   

       I very nearly posted this monday. are you reading my goddam mind or something?   

       mine though was about lasers lighting up buildings etc with the number of the bus. damnit!   

       did you search? cos I sure didn't...   

       +1   

       this is too spooky for words. my car was in the garage for the day and I had to go by bus. waited for a bus in the gloom for half an hour. some of the bus-stops have displays to tell you how far away the next bus is but not the one where I was waiting.
—po, Jan 07 2004
   

       Hi po, it was a pleasure reading your mind. There is a lot to read there. This one I found postworthy, I was surprised it was there for grabs. There's a big pile of thoughts I ignored, I couldn't make head or tail out of it. And the dirty thoughts out there in the back were not that original. Maybe I'll read on later. Or better yet, I'll just wait for you to post your selection, that's easier for all of us.   

       BTW: What was that thought wednesday afternoon around three o'clock? Quite intruiging and promising but didn't really make sense to me.
—rrr, Jan 07 2004
   

       NOW JUST YOU STOP THAT! & I don't capitalise for just anyone!   

       wed p.m. 3 p.m. // ask Klaatu!
—po, Jan 07 2004
   

       Yeah, no kidding. I heard your special dedication on the radio last night too, [po] ...
—Letsbuildafort, Jan 07 2004
   

       No need to capatalise... <grin> I read it before you wrote it. Okay, I'll go now, enjoy your privacy.
—rrr, Jan 07 2004
   

       It is true. When we talk, she rarely capitalizes. I always consider it an honor when she does.
—Klaatu, Jan 07 2004
   

       back to the idea - this is one excellent idea!   

       amazing on so many levels. I wish I could give it more than one croissant.   

       I may email Ken Livingstone on this subject. (London Mayor)
—po, Jan 07 2004
   

       wouldn't it be hard to see the laser lights? because most trams and buses ride in the city or high traffic areas which would then lead to street lights, etc. I find it hard to see anything with the way some street lights are.
—babyhawk, Jan 07 2004
   

       Perhaps it's better to not let the laserbeams be lit all the time. Only shortly before the bus or tram approaches the stop and shortly after. Like this you can also see there is a stop where the light is coming from. And when you are waiting at a stop you can tell when your line just left the previous stop and is now heading your way.   

       BTW, To make this happen people in Amsterdam can elect me into the Amsterdam City Counsel, as part of my program at derdekamer.net (only in Dutch) to blow up all political parties. See link.
—rrr, Jan 07 2004
   

       Just imagine the arial ballet of beams from public transportation! Beautiful!
—Letsbuildafort, Jan 07 2004
   

       Only one problem. What would the lasers shine on? I know you're picturing this like a light-saber or other sci-fi laser beam shining in the sky. The problem is you can't see light's path unless it's aimed at you. This generally happens when a laser shines on a surface - the light is scattered and some of it bounces toward your eye.
—Worldgineer, Jan 07 2004
   

       Add a beam splitter and you could create images and text, like the bus number, or how full the bus is, etc. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be long before advertisers began renting laser time between stops and giant coke bottles began dancing down the streets as you waited for the bus.... [Worldgineer] is correct. The system would work spectacularly on foggy nights, but drier cities like Los Angeles would be out of luck.
—Novysan, Jan 07 2004
   

       the poor epileptic people will start dying by the dozens, they will no longer be able to leave their houses.....
—babyhawk, Jan 07 2004
   

       do laser beams affect epileptics? over to the AUTHOR, [rrr] <grin>
—po, Jan 07 2004
   

       according to my epileptic sister, laser keychains give her a headache if kids are playing with them and letting them bounce off of everything. So I just assumed that the same thing on a larger scale would just inhance the effect...... please correct me if I am wrong because I find this a very fun and useful idea! :)
—babyhawk, Jan 07 2004
   

       Most big cities would have enough pollution in the air that would pick up some of the light.   

       AFAIK, flashing lights can trigger a seizure, but not a constant light.
—GenYus, Jan 07 2004
   

       > Only one problem. What would the lasers shine on?   

       and also   

       > would work spectacularly on foggy nights, but drier cities like Los Angeles would be out of luck.   

       Why not let a beam of smoke/steam go up vertically together with the laserbeam? If smoke can be produced in clubs, then it should be easy to create a thin line vertically on top of a bus/tram.   

       Although the laser beam should point diagonally on the fog when the vehicle moves. A good speed indicator also. "The bus around the block is slowing down, we can make it, run!"
—rrr, Oct 18 2004
   

       When Iran released the American hostages after po old Jimmy left office and Rusty Reagan took over , Washington D.C. celebrated with lasers blasting from the top of the Washington Monument, and with a ring of 20 huge anti-aircraft spot lights around the Lincoln Memorial that blasted 'thanks' into heaven, actually, just straight up into the night sky. On clear nights, it looked like the volutes of a huge classical column, other nights, it bounced off the ceiling varying with different cloud covers. They also went into weave mode, spining in orchestrated patterns.
—M Carter, Jan 01 2008
   


 

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