A Unique Collection

I collect ideas wherever I go. It’s a fun activity. No money involved. You don’t need a barn to store your collection, either.

Reasons for collecting ideas. First, we discover we’re not the only ones with good ideas.That’s humbling. Secondly, we develop a greater appreciation for others. Most of all, other people’s ideas inspire us to create our own.

The world might be a better place if we shared them. I highly recommend this type of collection. Imagine the benefit mankind could receive if people across the world shared good ideas. Therefore, I’d like to share a few ones I found with you. I gathered them on my recent trip to Asia.

Blind Guides

Narrow strips of raised bumps on sidewalks guide the blind.A person taps a cane across them to navigate safely. A wider bump section at street corners indicates where to cross.

Traffic signals emit a loud, repeating ding. This becomes faster and intermittent before the light changes. The sounds, combined with the bumps, are an effective combination.

Guides inside a shopping mall help people, too. The picture above is in a mall in Hong Kong. It shows long, raised pieces to indicate the subway direction. Smaller dots across it point to shop entrances.

Simple changes might give the blind greater independence. I ‘ve rarely found beeping signals at USA intersections. We do have darkened areas with bumps at some corner crossings. However, we do not have them along the sidewalks. Perhaps we can learn from other countries.

Playgrounds for the Elderly

Flexibility and mobility are goals. Maccau created playgrounds for senior citizens. Exercise equipment there increases flexibility and mobility.

The parks in Maccau are free. Find them in easy-access areas. No gym membership or tickets required. Plenty of benches for rest.

The parks also have open spaces. These areas provide room for group exercise like Tai Chi or yoga. Shade trees give cooling relief from the sun. They add to the tranquil setting as well.

Everyone can benefit. Best of all, everyone can enjoy these playgrounds, regardless of age.

Parking Garage Signs

Hong Kong parking garages tell you exact number of vacancies before you enter them. An entrance sign indicates the spaces available. Also, a sign on each level tells you the number of empty spots just on that floor.

Empty spaces have green lights. You can easily find empty spaces. Green lights show you where the vacant spots are. Once you park, the green light changes to red.

The signs change their numbers, too. The number of unoccupied spaces on that floor automatically changes. In addition, the entrance sign reflects the new total. This clever method makes parking much easier. It’s far less frustrating.

A Busy Restroom Solution

Have you ever waited in a long restroom line ? The front person sees closed doors. All the stalls look like they’re in use. However, some are empty. It’s a common problem.

Figuring out which ones are available isn’t easy. The first one in line waits for a person to exit. However, if the stall is unoccupied, no one will ever open it. As a result, people wait unnecessary minutes. The line backs up more and more.

Folks sometimes use ineffective ways to find a vacant one. Some peek under the door to spot feet. This method is not foolproof. Others risk the wrath of an occupant by pushing open the door . These strategies may work at times. However, they can create embarrassing situations.

The Chinese have employed a simple device that ends this problem. They installed a latch closure with a lever. One must flip this to close the door. When the lever moves, a sign on the outside of the door changes. It goes from a white “Available” to a red “Occupied.” This gadge eliminates confusion. One glance down the row of stalls tells you which ones are free. You can see the red levers easily. No more unnecessary waiting.

Great Ideas Are all Around You

You don’t have to travel to find a new idea. Possibilities exist all around you. Does your neighbor know a better way to make pizza? Perhaps kids in your town invented a new game. You receive a clever tip. Someone uses a familiar product in an unusual way. The ideas are endless.

What new ideas have you discovered lately? Could you make improvements on them? Do they inspire you? If so, then perhaps you, too, will become a collector of ideas.