SAMPLE
This sample showcases one section of the scarf and demonstrates how the light sensor operates. The LEDs are concealed within the mesh, only becoming visible when needed. The emitted light illuminates the reflective tape, creating a glowing effect on the pleats from a distance, successfully achieving the goal of discreet technology. Furthermore, the wave tucks are now more flexible and lighter than before.
SAMPLE
This sample showcases one section of the scarf and demonstrates how the light sensor operates. The LEDs are concealed within the mesh, only becoming visible when needed. The emitted light illuminates the reflective tape, creating a glowing effect on the pleats from a distance, successfully achieving the goal of discreet technology. Furthermore, the wave tucks are now more flexible and lighter than before.
NeoPixel
NeoPixels have proven to be unsuitable due to its bulky size, excessive brightness, and high voltage requirement, leading to significant heat generation.
LilyPad LEDs & light sensor
LilyPad LEDs are ideal for my project - small, light, and bright. I've also swictched to LilyPad light sensors for durability and easy integration.
Mesh + Reflective tape
To enhance brightness and conceal the LEDs, I covered them with mesh, giving a discreet appearance when turned off.
Based on the user testing results, I recognized the need for brighter and lighter LEDs. Placing the entire circuit at the back of the scarf made it less flexible and uncomfortable for users. To address this, I began experimenting with various types of LEDs on different materials and in different shapes for the best solution.
FINAL PROTOTYPE
Seamless aesthetic self-illuminating scarf ideal
for night pedestrians' road safety.
Seamless aesthetic self-illuminating scarf ideal for night pedestrians' road safety.
Project Development
This project started with my interest in Wearable Technology and a personal experience on pedestrian invisibility. I wanted to explore how design could address the issue of pedestrian visibility discreetly. Combining technology and fashion in a seamless manner became the focus of my project.
My goal was to achieve effective behavioural change through wearable technology without the hesitation often associated with "wearing" technology. By striking a balance between fashion and technology, I aimed to change people's perspectives on wearables. The key was to subtly embed technology into visually appealing designs without the user even noticing, making it acceptable and familiar while keeping the technology hidden.
PROJECT BRIEF
In BC, statistics have shown a link between pedestrian safety and their visibility on the road at night time.
The purpose of this project is to apply the concept of seamless technology embedment in designing an article of daily use - a scarf - to improve pedestrians' visibility. There are three major characteristics in the design: visibility, change of behaviour, and interactivity. Materials used are a combination of reflective tape and LED. The project also reflects the designer's attempt to balance between technology and aesthetic consideration.
Target Audience
The target audience for this project is narrowed down to Female pedestrians aged 20-29 years old, as walking is a fundamental form of transportation (City of Vancouver, Pedestrian Safety Study Final Report) and this age group tends to be more vulnerable.
Value Proposition
Embedded with seamless technology, this fashionable self-illuminating scarf is ideal for night pedestrians to improve their road safety.
Seamless aesthetic self-illuminating scarf ideal for night pedestrians' road safety.
RESEARCH
The background research involves examining reports, human behaviour studies, and wearable projects to address the design problem. Various solutions can be explored, from changing pedestrian behaviour to fostering communication with drivers or raising awareness of external dangers. By reviewing current technology and potential future advancements, multiple directions can be pursued to tackle this issue effectively.
Quantitative • Qualitative
Research found that nearly half of the pedestrian collisions happen in the winter months, November to February due to shorter days and longer nights. Nighttime collisions increase as drivers’ visual range decreases at night. January, historically a snowy month in Vancouver, has the highest proportion of pedestrian collisions. Weekdays and the PM peak hours, 3:00pm to 6:00pm are when pedestrian collisions happen the most. “Pedestrians were particularly vulnerable when it was both dark and rainy” (Sayed 10).
STATISTICS
Young Adults age 20 to 29 are most likely to be involved in pedestrian collisions. Pedestrian collisions predominantly occur at signalized intersections with arterial roads, and factors like crossing at stop signs, crosswalks, and jaywalking contribute to these incidents. The data highlights visibility as a key factor in many pedestrian collisions. As days are shorter in the winter, pedestrian activities at night increase so most accidents happen after dark and at twilight hours, between 5 and 7pm. The City of Vancouver has made improvement on street safety and is constantly reminding pedestrians to walk on designated crosswalks, and most importantly, wear visible clothing especially in poor lighting condition.
The website features a concise and professional design, incorporating well-organised sections to showcase product categories and product lines. The combination of attention-grabbing banners and well-presented product thumbnails creates an appealing and visually engaging browsing experience for users.
FINAL OUTCOME
Research found that nearly half of the pedestrian collisions happen in the winter months, November to February due to shorter days and longer nights. Nighttime collisions increase as drivers’ visual range decreases at night. January, historically a snowy month in Vancouver, has the highest proportion of pedestrian collisions. Weekdays and the PM peak hours, 3:00pm to 6:00pm are when pedestrian collisions happen the most. “Pedestrians were particularly vulnerable when it was both dark and rainy” (Sayed 10).
STATISTICS
RESEARCH
The background research involves examining reports, human behaviour studies, and wearable projects to address the design problem. Various solutions can be explored, from changing pedestrian behaviour to fostering communication with drivers or raising awareness of external dangers. By reviewing current technology and potential future advancements, multiple directions can be pursued to tackle this issue effectively.
Quantitative • Qualitative
STATISTICS
Research found that nearly half of the pedestrian collisions happen in the winter months, November to February due to shorter days and longer nights. Nighttime collisions increase as drivers’ visual range decreases at night. January, historically a snowy month in Vancouver, has the highest proportion of pedestrian collisions. Weekdays and the PM peak hours, 3:00pm to 6:00pm are when pedestrian collisions happen the most. “Pedestrians were particularly vulnerable when it was both dark and rainy” (Sayed 10).
Young Adults age 20 to 29 are most likely to be involved in pedestrian collisions. Pedestrian collisions predominantly occur at signalized intersections with arterial roads, and factors like crossing at stop signs, crosswalks, and jaywalking contribute to these incidents. The data highlights visibility as a key factor in many pedestrian collisions. As days are shorter in the winter, pedestrian activities at night increase so most accidents happen after dark and at twilight hours, between 5 and 7pm. The City of Vancouver has made improvement on street safety and is constantly reminding pedestrians to walk on designated crosswalks, and most importantly, wear visible clothing especially in poor lighting condition.
RESEARCH
The background research involves examining reports, human behaviour studies, and wearable projects to address the design problem. Various solutions can be explored, from changing pedestrian behaviour to fostering communication with drivers or raising awareness of external dangers. By reviewing current technology and potential future advancements, multiple directions can be pursued to tackle this issue effectively.
Statistics • Studies • Behaviour
Research found that nearly half of the pedestrian collisions happen in the winter months, November to February due to shorter days and longer nights. Nighttime collisions increase as drivers’ visual range decreases at night. January, historically a snowy month in Vancouver, has the highest proportion of pedestrian collisions. Weekdays and the PM peak hours, 3:00pm to 6:00pm are when pedestrian collisions happen the most. “Pedestrians were particularly vulnerable when it was both dark and rainy” (Sayed 10).
STATISTICS
Young Adults age 20 to 29 are most likely to be involved in pedestrian collisions. Pedestrian collisions predominantly occur at signalized intersections with arterial roads, and factors like crossing at stop signs, crosswalks, and jaywalking contribute to these incidents. The data highlights visibility as a key factor in many pedestrian collisions. As days are shorter in the winter, pedestrian activities at night increase so most accidents happen after dark and at twilight hours, between 5 and 7pm. The City of Vancouver has made improvement on street safety and is constantly reminding pedestrians to walk on designated crosswalks, and most importantly, wear visible clothing especially in poor lighting condition.
RESEARCH
The background research involves examining reports, human behaviour studies, and wearable projects to address the design problem. Various solutions can be explored, from changing pedestrian behaviour to fostering communication with drivers or raising awareness of external dangers. By reviewing current technology and potential future advancements, multiple directions can be pursued to tackle this issue effectively.
Quantitative • Qualitative
Research found that nearly half of the pedestrian collisions happen in the winter months, November to February due to shorter days and longer nights. Nighttime collisions increase as drivers’ visual range decreases at night. January, historically a snowy month in Vancouver, has the highest proportion of pedestrian collisions. Weekdays and the PM peak hours, 3:00pm to 6:00pm are when pedestrian collisions happen the most. “Pedestrians were particularly vulnerable when it was both dark and rainy” (Sayed 10).
STATISTICS
Young Adults age 20 to 29 are most likely to be involved in pedestrian collisions. Pedestrian collisions predominantly occur at signalized intersections with arterial roads, and factors like crossing at stop signs, crosswalks, and jaywalking contribute to these incidents. The data highlights visibility as a key factor in many pedestrian collisions. As days are shorter in the winter, pedestrian activities at night increase so most accidents happen after dark and at twilight hours, between 5 and 7pm. The City of Vancouver has made improvement on street safety and is constantly reminding pedestrians to walk on designated crosswalks, and most importantly, wear visible clothing especially in poor lighting condition.
B. J. Fogg, a well-known User Experience Design thought leader and director of the Persuasive Technology Lab at Stanford University, introduced a behavioural model focusing on Motivation, Ability, and Trigger, which has become widely used in software products to influence user behaviour. Good design plays a crucial role in guiding and controlling user actions, promoting desired behaviours like making purchases or adopting sustainable habits. Moreover, wearables, closely connected to our behaviour and emotions, have the potential to foster self-awareness and drive meaningful behavioural changes.
HUMAN BEHAVIOUR
According to Marc Green, expert on human factors, a driver can only avoid an accident if he sees the pedestrian from a certain distance giving him enough time to react.
Often times pedestrians confuse driver expectation and wear dark clothing making them almost invisible at night. Drivers can easily detect the reflective material but not always able to recognize it as a person as they tend to only cover small parts of their body. During twilight hours or at night, the problem worsens due to lack of ambient illumination and other distractions or factors.
HUMAN FACTORS
WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
Wearable technology is becoming mainstream, but integrating appearance and functionality remains a challenge. Some successful examples seamlessly merge technology with fashionable accessories, while battery life and charging remain persistent issues. The trend is toward wearables that seamlessly blend into our daily attire.
Product References:
Philips Design Probe - Bubblelle dress / Google Glass / Myo gesture arm band by Thalmic Labs
Advancements in washable textiles opens up new design possibilities for inconspicuous wearable technology in daily use.
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LilyPad Arduino, a microcontroller board designed for wearables and e-textiles.
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Micro Electronic Textile (MET), machine washable, by NTU's Advanced Textiles Research Group.
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AiQ, merges technology with textiles to create fashionable, functional, and comfortable solutions.
Technologies:
Technologies:
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LilyPad Arduino, a microcontroller board designed for wearables and e-textiles.
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Micro Electronic Textile (MET), machine washable, by NTU's Advanced Textiles Research Group.
-
AiQ, merges technology with textiles to create fashionable, functional, and comfortable solutions.
Advancements in washable textiles opens up new design possibilities for inconspicuous wearable technology in daily use.
Wearable technology is becoming mainstream, but integrating appearance and functionality remains a challenge. Some successful examples seamlessly merge technology with fashionable accessories, while battery life and charging remain persistent issues. The trend is toward wearables that seamlessly blend into our daily attire.
Product References:
Philips Design Probe - Bubblelle dress / Google Glass / Myo gesture arm band by Thalmic Labs
WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY
Drivers think making pedestrians more visible will help and it is important.
Drivers think bright LEDs will distract them while driving and it should be less blinding.
Pedestrians do not feel dangerous at night and will choose familiar routes even if it's usually dimmer.
Pedestrians choose not to wear reflective clothes. The reason for that varies but mainly because of the appearance.
SURVEYS
I did my own survey and found out that none of the respondents indicated they wear brighter or reflective clothing and alarmingly, over half were not aware of their visibility to driver.
One of the problems found on the below projects is that there hasn’t been a large demand and people are still not willing to put on LEDs or reflective materials on as they go out. Existing solutions focus on motivated users, while many pedestrians may not fully grasp the risks of walking late without proper visibility. This situation highlights the need to design a solution specifically tailored for pedestrians, addressing behaviour change, improved communication with drivers, and awareness of external hazards. It is important to make the product fashionable, functional and controllable for users so that they are more engaged to the product and that it does not take extra effort for them use it. If users refuse to put on the product, the problem still exists.
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
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Visible enough to alert drivers
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Natural enough to wear daily
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Subtle enough to not interfere
Driver's Perspective
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Raise safety awareness
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Encourage wearable use
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Integrate tech into attire
Pedestrian Education
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Digital Control (Mobile)
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Physical Interaction (environment)
Tailored Customization
DESIGN CONCEPT
Visibility • Behaviour • Interaction
PATTERNS
I started looking for motion patterns so drivers can see it moving from a far distance. There are many geometric patterns that has this effect and I started researching on how other people use these patterns on fabric or in a three dimension way. Fabric manipulation is very popular method in the fashion industry and many fashion designers came up with interesting ideas.
SCARF
Among common winter accessories like hats, scarves, and gloves, I opted for scarves as they complement clothing styles and are suitable for both men and women. Additionally, scarves offer better visibility to drivers due to their size and position. As an add-on accessory, they don't require constant washing, making them a convenient wearable choice.
FINAL CONCEPT
I chose to integrate LEDs and reflective tape to create discreet lighting. The LEDs emit light, which bounces off the reflective tape, producing a gentle "GLOW." The wave tuck patterns not only enhance appeal but also subtly embed the technology, mimicking natural movement.
I chose grey for wider appeal and shifted the focus to women due to the patterns. The scarf's physical and electronic patterns raise driver awareness while maintaining simplicity. The goal is to encourage people to wear this scarf and stay vigilant while walking.
The scarf intelligently adapts its brightness by responding to the environment, with light sensors detecting indoor and outdoor conditions, automatically turning on or off as needed. Moreover, users have complete control over the lighting via the app, enabling them to customize their preferred colour, brightness, and blinking mode.
After conducting my research, I find it more appropriate to focus on accessories due to the variety of styles people prefer and considering the need for easy maintenance, like washing. Given that most collisions occur during winter months, I began brainstorming various winter accessories as potential solutions.
IDEATION
PROTOTYPE
My aim was to find a material that is both waterproof on the outside and warm on the inside, taking into account the rainy season in Vancouver. Additionally, I sought outerwear materials that are lightweight enough to avoid excessive weight when adding the electronics.
Light-up Shoelace • NeoPixels •
Lilypad LED
PROTOTYPE
My aim was to find a material that is both waterproof on the outside and warm on the inside, taking into account the rainy season in Vancouver. Additionally, I sought outerwear materials that are lightweight enough to avoid excessive weight when adding the electronics.
Light-up Shoelaces • NeoPixel • LilyPad LED
PROTOTYPE VERSION 1
The first prototype demonstrates the placement of reflective tape seamlessly combined with the pattern. Reflective tapes are integrated into the inside of the pleats, following the flow of the design. Plain pleats between sections create a subtle and uncluttered look. The colour coordination between the reflective tape and the fabric received positive feedback, with people appreciating the subtle embedding of reflective elements and the delicate appearance of the thin pleats.
PROTOTYPE VERSION 2
In the second prototype, I started integrating electronics into the scarf. After consulting with both our school technician and professor, I decided to use discreet light-up shoelaces as the technology solution. The scarf's appearance and size of the pleats remained unchanged, allowing the shoelaces to be concealed between each tuck. To secure the reflective tapes, I opted for fusible tape instead of fabric glue, as the glue proved to be less effective and messy.
CIRCUIT & CODE
The light-up shoelaces offer 3 modes: Solid, Blink, and Flash, controlled by a chip. I replaced the chip with a LilyPad Arduino to manage the LEDs with customized code. While embedding the circuit into the scarf, I encountered issues with conductive threads. The threads scattered across the scarf, increasing the likelihood of short-circuits due to potential touching. Additionally, the placement of the shoelaces wasn't ideal, as cutting and sewing them in place made the scarf inflexible and stiff. To address these problems, I'll need to reorganize the circuit and find a better approach for securing the shoelaces.
PROTOTYPE VERSION 2
In the second prototype, I started integrating electronics into the scarf. After consulting with both our school technician and professor, I decided to use discreet light-up shoelaces as the technology solution. The scarf's appearance and size of the pleats remained unchanged, allowing the shoelaces to be concealed between each tuck. To secure the reflective tapes, I opted for fusible tape instead of fabric glue, as the glue proved to be less effective and messy.
CIRCUIT & CODE
The light-up shoelaces offer 3 modes: Solid, Blink, and Flash, controlled by a chip. I replaced the chip with a LilyPad Arduino to manage the LEDs with customized code. While embedding the circuit into the scarf, I encountered issues with conductive threads. The threads scattered across the scarf, increasing the likelihood of short-circuits due to potential touching. Additionally, the placement of the shoelaces wasn't ideal, as cutting and sewing them in place made the scarf inflexible and stiff. To address these problems, I'll need to reorganize the circuit and find a better approach for securing the shoelaces.
PROTOTYPE VERSION 3
For the third prototype, I addressed the problems from the second one by adjusting the placement of the shoelace and how the circuit is connected. The circuit is now sewn on a single piece of fabric and attached to the back of the scarf. Tubes around the scarf allow flexibility with the pleats. The sensors are positioned on the top, connecting to the central circuit using wires for improved functionality. To ensure safety and conceal the circuit, a fleece lining is added, preventing any contact with the wearer or each other.
PROTOTYPE VERSION 1
The first prototype demonstrates the placement of reflective tape seamlessly combined with the pattern. Reflective tapes are integrated into the inside of the pleats, following the flow of the design. Plain pleats between sections create a subtle and uncluttered look. The colour coordination between the reflective tape and the fabric received positive feedback, with people appreciating the subtle embedding of reflective elements and the delicate appearance of the thin pleats.
PROTOTYPE VERSION 3
For the third prototype, I addressed the problems from the second one by adjusting the placement of the shoelace and how the circuit is connected. The circuit is now sewn on a single piece of fabric and attached to the back of the scarf. Tubes around the scarf allow flexibility with the pleats. The sensors are positioned on the top, connecting to the central circuit using wires for improved functionality. To ensure safety and conceal the circuit, a fleece lining is added, preventing any contact with the wearer or each other.
WHAT I DID
Pedestrians will test the prototype on small streets and main streets, while drivers will navigate around the block during testing.
Participants will be interviewed using a questionnaire after testing.
PROBLEMS
Pedestrian participants found the scarf comfortable and warm, but the size was not ideal, being too narrow and long, obstructing their vision. They suggested adding an indicator inside for on/off visibility and expressed difficulty in gauging its appearance due to outward-facing LEDs and the scarf's design. The one-size-fits-all may not be suitable for everyone
Driver participants reported that they did not notice pedestrians at all. The small amount of light while driving on darker small streets made it difficult to see pedestrians, especially when they were near traffic.
MY OBSERVATIONS
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Pleats cover shoelace, reducing visibility
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Bright on dark streets, dims afar
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LEDs nearly invisible on li main streets
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Only reflective tape visible under headlights
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Stiff and uncomfortable due to hardwares inside
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Unusual shape due to circuit placement
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Sensors exposed, not waterproof
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Needs better brightness, softness, and size
USER TESTING
MOBILE APP
From the user's perspective, the mobile app should offer a simple and intuitive experience, enabling LED control within three taps. Users can easily adjust brightness, colour, and LED mode (Solid, Blink, Flash). Since the app is a secondary focus of the project, basic mock-ups are designed for the video to showcase the scarf's controllability.
Customization • Control
MOBILE APP
From the user's perspective, the mobile app should offer a simple and intuitive experience, enabling LED control within three taps. Users can easily adjust brightness, colour, and LED mode (Solid, Blink, Flash). Since the app is a secondary focus of the project, basic mock-ups are designed for the video to showcase the scarf's controllability.
Customization • Control
My project aims to improve pedestrian visibility and alert drivers in advance when someone is crossing the road, acting as a signal to drivers. Taking inspiration from the Italian word "Segno," pronounced sé·gno (senyo), which means "sign or signal" in English and originates from "Dal Segno," it is designed to have a fashionable, non-techy vibe.
The logo is based on the patterns of my project, highlighting the combination of reflective tape and LEDs. I used yellow to represent the LEDs and grey for reflective tape. Although the initial logo resembled a beauty brand or water company's logo, the final version maintains the pattern's essence with a simplified design.
BRANDING
Chic • Simple • Illuminated
TYPOGRAPHY
LIGHT • REGULAR • DEMI • BOLD
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee
May 2015
GRAD SHOW
Value Proposition
Embedded with seamless technology, this fashionable self-illuminating scarf is ideal for night pedestrians to improve their road safety.
Project Development
This project started with my interest in Wearable Technology and a personal experience on pedestrian invisibility. I wanted to explore how design could address the issue of pedestrian visibility discreetly. Combining technology and fashion in a seamless manner became the focus of my project.
My goal was to achieve effective behavioural change through wearable technology without the hesitation often associated with "wearing" technology. By striking a balance between fashion and technology, I aimed to change people's perspectives on wearables. The key was to subtly embed technology into visually appealing designs without the user even noticing, making it acceptable and familiar while keeping the technology hidden.
Target Audiences
The target audience for this project is narrowed down to Female pedestrians aged 20-29 years old, as walking is a fundamental form of transportation (City of Vancouver, Pedestrian Safety Study Final Report) and this age group tends to be more vulnerable.
PROJECT BRIEF
In BC, statistics have shown a link between pedestrian safety and their visibility on the road at night time.
PROJECT BRIEF
In BC, statistics have shown a link between pedestrian safety and their visibility on the road at night time.
Project Development
This project started with my interest in Wearable Technology and a personal experience on pedestrian invisibility. I wanted to explore how design could address the issue of pedestrian visibility discreetly. Combining technology and fashion in a seamless manner became the focus of my project.
My goal was to achieve effective behavioural change through wearable technology without the hesitation often associated with "wearing" technology. By striking a balance between fashion and technology, I aimed to change people's perspectives on wearables. The key was to subtly embed technology into visually appealing designs without the user even noticing, making it acceptable and familiar while keeping the technology hidden.
PROJECT BRIEF
In BC, statistics have shown a link between pedestrian safety and their visibility on the road at night time.
The purpose of this project is to apply the concept of seamless technology embedment in designing an article of daily use - a scarf - to improve pedestrians' visibility. There are 3 major characteristics in the design: visibility, change of behaviour, and interactivity. Materials used are a combination of reflective tape and LED. The project also reflects the designer's attempt to balance between technology and aesthetic consideration.
Value Proposition
Embedded with seamless technology, this fashionable self-illuminating scarf is ideal for night pedestrians to improve their road safety.
Target Audience
The target audience for this project is narrowed down to Female pedestrians aged 20-29 years old, as walking is a fundamental form of transportation (City of Vancouver, Pedestrian Safety Study Final Report) and this age group tends to be more vulnerable.