Musical+roads

= = Have you ever driven over the rumble strips on the side of the road? If so, what do they look, feel and sound like?

What influence, if any, do you think the speed a vehicle driving over the bumps makes? What effect might there be using vehicles with different kinds of tyres or different vehicles altogether such as bikes or skateboards?

Scientists, musicians, mathematicians and road engineers have collaborated (worked together) to design and make musical roads in various parts of the world using the idea of raised or carved strips to make sounds, working on the same idea as rumble strips. In some parts of the world these musicsl roads are used as safety features to help slow motorists down.

Image retrieved from [], 15 June 2011. Visit the website above for some interesting information and videos about musical roads around the world including Denmark, Japan, USA. (Even Disneyland and the Goodyear tyre company have experimented with this idea!) Japans melody roads play music as you drive.

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Why should we investigate and learn about musical roads?

 * It could be fun and interesting!
 * We all use roads, they are a part of out day to day living.
 * Road engineers are continually working to design and trial new features to enhance road safety, such as the rumble strip and musical roads
 * Long road trips can be boring for kids, if we can find a way to make trips more fun and interesting it is a good thing!
 * Music is a part of our lives - a way to express and hear others expression. It is a form of communication.
 * A project such as the musical roads takes collaboration between many people, bringing people together who work in very different jobs.

Post your ideas on the discussion board.
 * 1) What is music?
 * 2) How is music experienced?
 * 3) Is music important? Discuss why/how or why not?
 * 4) What uses does music have now and historically? What other purposes do you think music could have?
 * 5) What do we mean by the term 'road safety'? Who does this involve?

Animation retrieved from [|http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/results.aspx?qu=musical%20notes&ctt=1#mt:3|], 15 June 2011. 1. Compose a 30 second piece of music or a message that would be interesting to drive over. If you would like to share your composition upload your music here. Post your messages here - please ensure that they are suitable for all – no offensive language.

Image retrieved from [|mt:0|,] 15 June 2011. 2. Some people experience sound as colours. This is known as sound synaethesia. Write a poem or write a song describing how you think it would feel to experience the world in this way. Some musical roads, such as the one in Japan, have been created to slow traffic as a road safety feature. How do you think people with sound synaesthesia might experience the road? How do you think it might affect how safely they drive?

3. Design and if desired make, test and modify an instrument that can play at least one octave of notes.

Image retrieved from [], 15 June 2011. 4. Experiment with different toothpicks and toy cars to see if you can make an interesting music road of your own. What happens if you keep the spaces the same between toothpicks but use different lengths? What happens if you vary the speed the vehicles drives or if you keep the toothpicks the same but change the spacing between them? When experimenting keep everything the same except the one variable you want to test out.

Image retrieved from [] 15 June 2011.

5. Why do we have signs on roads? Why do you think that the musical roads have warning signs? Do you think this is important? Why or why not? Paint or draw a highway sign that clearly informs and warns motorists of an upcoming musical road. Think about what message you are trying to convey, for example is it for tourists or locals?

6. Brainstorm some possible ideas for new technology that could be used to increase driver safety on the road – present as a mind-map. If you have something you believe would be a valuable idea for New Zealand road safety or more specifically something that could improve the safety of roads in your community, write and express your ideas to your local council or the New Zealand Land Transport Authority.

Image retrieved from [] 15 June 2011. 7. Research roadway safety technology, such as vehicle activated signs and iSight cycle activated signs, and make a photostory to show the most interesting information you have learned.

Image retrieved from [] 15 June 2011. 8. Create a cool character that will be used when helping teach drivers about the new road musical road safety designs. For example Median Man.

Retrieved from [] 15 June 2011.

9. Get involved and make a real music road right here in New Zealand. If you would be interested in teaming up with other students and professionals to make a real musical road, register your interest here by writing your first name and the school you come from and watch this space for any developments about making it happen. (New Zealand only)


 * How important do you think road design is in keeping travelers safe?
 * Who should have responsibility over safety of road users? Why?
 * What outcomes could a community experience in designing and making a musical road? Consider both positive and negative. If you were a Council planner for your ares would you approve a request for a musical road in your area? Why or why not?
 * How might a musical road be used in other ways in our communities?Consider how they could be used by businesses, at school, in playgrounds? What effects could these have?