Safety Sign Project - Make A Smart Decision

  • The street sign designed by students from PS 56.

Project Description

Groundswell and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) designed the Traffic Safety Sign Residency Program to engage public school students in exploring traffic safety information through the creation of original street signs. Signs designed collaboratively by students at each of our partner schools are digitally rendered by Groundswell artists, fabricated by NYC DOT’s Sign Shop, and temporarily installed in local locations students identify as in need of traffic signage. Through this program, students learn how signs and symbols can work to communicate ideas and explore visual art techniques to develop graphic images. These signs then help increase safety awareness and prevent accidents in locations around each school community. Students from PS 56 believed it was  important to tell pedestrians to "Make a Smart Decision." The young people used the symbols of the  hand, eye, and ear to remind us all to stop, look, and listen as we cross the street.

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Project Info

Location: 341 East 207th Street Bronx, NY 10467
Neighborhood: 
Norwood


Program: 
Safety Sign Initiative


Theme: 
Livable Streets


Year: 
2010


Partner(s): 
New York City Department of Transportation
PS 56


Lead Artist(s):
Nicole Schulman


Assistant Artist(s):
Michael Nesbitt


Participants: 

 

5th grade students at PS 56
Medium: 
Printed Metal Sign


Dimensions: 30" Diameter

Fun Facts

Suggested Activity
Think about areas in your neighborhood that may be in need of a traffic sign. Do people drive too fast near your school? Do people roll through stop signs by your house? Design a traffic safety sign that reflects traffic issues in your neighborhood.
Research
According to Transportation Alternatives, New York has the highest number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths and injuries in the United States. Pedestrian and cyclist deaths make up a majority of traffic deaths.
Fun Fact
You should always wear a seatbelt when you are in the car and always wear a helmet when you are on a bike. It is also very important to “Stop, Look, and Listen,” when you are crossing the street, because others might not see you.