Information Kiosks

Concept:

A summary of the idea, the needs it serves, and a description of a possible pilot program

Raising public awareness of Pittsburgh's amenities and attractions as well as providing practical and timely information on demand is important to increasing the city's usability for both visitors and residents.

This concept calls for a network of interactive information kiosks, accessible 24 hours, to be placed throughout the city. The kiosks should be highly-visible and easily recognizable in centers of activity. Information could be provided through interactive multilingual touch screen street maps with points of interest, route planning and transportation info, a business directory, a calendar of events and other web capabilities. Other features could include a local news feed and weather alerts, an emergency call box, and local trivia.

A pilot deployment should be located in areas known for their high foot traffic. Preliminary suggestions include the airport, the Cultural District, the Oakland business, hospital, and college districts, the stadiums and North Side museums, and the South Side Works. An initial run could last several months with analysis and improvements made for strategic redeployment.

Additional funding could be secured through offering high-profile and low-cost advertising opportunities.

Promoting the kiosks themselves could be achieved through a tour or dedication ceremonies.

Priorities:

These ideals are integral to a successful project design

• promoting exploration of the city
• linking communities
• improving access to important information
• realizing marketing goals for the city
• create an atmosphere of activity and vitality in the streets

Concerns:

Possible difficulties, pitfalls, and obstacles to consider

• vandalism
• effects of weather
• maintenance
• developing, delivering and updating multimedia content

Idea History:

Learn more about the idea, from genesis to dialogue

This concept is a composite of The Shiny Red Bench from room 524 and U R Here from room 432.

Both of these ideas incorporated a sitting area into their design and focused on providing a one-stop-shop with all relevant information to getting around and enjoying Pittsburgh at users' fingertips.

Related Links:

Get to know these groups, organizations, projects, and authorities, their current and past activities, the possibility for consultation or partnership, and in-roads to collaboration.

• MapHub
• Visit Pittsburgh
  

General Questions:

These important questions are asked of each idea. Try your hand at answering them as a way to explore the idea and how to make it happen. Answers to these questions help to demonstrate the Idea's strength and potential for success.

1. What level is the idea at? (Research, Planning, Fundraising, Advocacy, Deployment, other (explain))
2. What is a reasonable next step/phase for the concept? How can investment move the idea forward?
3. What other resources or opportunities are available or necessary to make the idea happen?
4. What existing activities or organizations in Pittsburgh duplicate some or all of the program components? How can this idea compete with, complement, and/or learn from these other activities?
5. Who should be included in this discussion? Does the concept call for outside consultation or assistance from other organizations?
6. How should the idea be promoted?
7. How should project success be measured?
8. What questions should be asked of a proposal for this project?

Starter Questions:

These questions address some of the anticipated programmatic concerns that come with administering small projects. Consider them test questions for model projects-- responses should be incorporated into the project's design.

1. What locations will host a kiosk?
2. How will the information be gathered, presented and updated?
3. What will the kiosks look like and function?
4. Who will build them?
5. How will the kiosks be maintained?