In an apparent (if perhaps momentary) triumph of emotionally intelligent signage, New York City is trying to tap hidden reservoirs of empathy among pedestrians and drivers alike by using — get this — haiku.

As NBC New York explains:

“Colorful 8-inch square signs featuring safety messages in haiku are being installed at high-crash locations near cultural institutions and schools, including the Bronx’s Grand Concourse, MoMA, downtown Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Botanical Garden . . .

“Half of the signs will be hung in pairs, with the image and haiku text appearing. Others will be equipped with technology to allow New Yorkers to access the safety message via smartphone.”

You can find all the designs on this PDF — and glimpse a few examples below.

If emotionally intelligent signage can make it here, it can make it anywhere.



3 Responses to “Emotionally intelligent signage in the Big Apple”

  1. Shakirah Dawud says:
    December 5, 2011 at 9:55 am

    I like the creativity, but don’t see the utility just yet. Are these meant to remind us–the way billboards and posters would otherwise? And why does the city think we would want more on our smartphones? I know I’d see it on a busy commute and think, “Huh, weird street sign.” I wouldn’t think to scan it to read on the train.

  2. Jenny Towndrow says:
    December 5, 2011 at 7:21 pm

    Haiku street signs and professional graphics; what a brilliant idea. But signs should be larger than 8 inches and not involve smart phones.

    Near where I live in Sydney there is a particularly terrifying intersection. Cars come whizzing off Sydney Harbour Bridge down towards Sydney’s main thoroughfare, George Street . There are six sets of traffic lights, all , it would seem, uncoordinated, flashing red, green, red, red ,green ,and as you know, biologically, red means GO FOR IT. Very confusing.
    Marked out on the Street is an approximately 50 yard square box. In Sydney there used to be signs “Do not enter box unless your exit is clear “. Now, presumably deemed obscene and scrapped. Taxis tend to ignore signs and (sometimes) traffic lights anyway. This intersection is potentially lethal.

    I have fantasised about creeping out in the night and stencilling on the road (as a warning to pedestrians) the outline of corpse, like in old thriller movies. There is no time for drivers to read a haiku and rotting bunches of flowers tied to lamp posts are sad but an ineffective deterrent to heedless driving.

    Apropos haiku, i used to be founder and Chairman of the Kings Cross/Potts Point (Sydney) Haiku society.

    Here’s one for today

    Autumn’s come early to Sydney.
    It’s December, not May.
    Sad,wet, leaves.

    J.A.T 6th December 2011

    P.S. Thank you for yet another inspiring post. I am sending a copy to Prof. Glazebrook , Head of Transport, Sydney City Council. and , in the post, to Washington, a copy of this year’s 2012 Leunig calendar.

    Love from Jenny

  3. Allanah King says:
    December 6, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    I tried to scan the codes but the pdf was too blurry. I think it’s a good idea. A bit like Fun Theory.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UMoZ_yVGW0