Direct Line showcases The Smart Crossing in London

In response to 7,000 incidents taking place at pedestrian crossings each year in Britain, Direct Line has unveiled the new Smart Crossing in London which has been developed by urban design technologists Umbrellium. The Smart Crossing uses research from the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), which identified many factors that impact the safety of pedestrians on road crossings. These include, the pedestrian’s position and route as they cross the road, the influence of other pedestrians dangerously crossi
October 10, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
In response to 7,000 incidents taking place at pedestrian crossings each year in Britain, 4236 Direct Line has unveiled the new 5062 Smart Crossing in London which has been developed by urban design technologists Umbrellium.


The Smart Crossing uses research from the Transport Research Laboratory (491 TRL), which identified many factors that impact the safety of pedestrians on road crossings. These include, the pedestrian’s position and route as they cross the road, the influence of other pedestrians dangerously crossing the road and the impact of overcrowding at crossing facilities.

The Smart Crossing spans 7.5m x 22m of responsive road surface and uses computer vision technology to see what is happening around it, and an LED road surface to change its markings to keep users safe. It can pre-empt pedestrians’ movement and where the eyeline is most likely to be without manual intervention. The Smart Crossing can also widen to accommodate large groups, which could help reduce the number of crowd-related incidents outside schools or sporting events. In addition, it assists in emergency situations, such as a child chasing a ball into the path of oncoming traffic. Smart warning signals can also be used to ensure pedestrians are not hidden by high sided vehicles which can create a blind spot for other drivers. Finally, the smart crossing can use dynamic road and pavement patterns to urge pedestrians using their mobile phones to look up and focus on the crossing.

Jason Wakeford, head of campaigns at road safety charity, Brake said, “This innovative pilot is a great example of how technology can help to improve road safety. We look forward to seeing the results of this trial and hope Smart Crossings will be rolled out in towns and cities across the country."

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Terrestrial solution to stellar shortcomings
    December 5, 2013
    Inherent weaknesses in satellite communications are leading several countries to re-evaluate terrestrial-based backup systems. There is a tale frequently told in satellite navigation circles, of how landing systems at Newark Airport were disrupted by a truck driver using GPS jamming equipment as he drove along the New Jersey Turnpike. While there was no threat to flight safety as the interference to GPS reference stations being tested, the story highlights how apparently benign threats have the potential t
    Read More
  • Authorities look to MaaS for new solutions and cost savings
    July 18, 2017
    The structure of society and the way in which our cities work will be completely transformed by Mobility as a Service (MaaS), Finland’s minister of transport and communications Anne Berner, told ITS International’s recent MaaS Market conference 2017 in London. In her keynote address, Berner told a packed audience of more than 200 ITS professionals that MaaS has the potential to help governments around the world meet their big city targets such as the rate of employment, the environment, the efficient use of
    Read More
  • Highways England highlights enforcement business
    April 16, 2019
    Enforcement policies need to start focusing much harder on business users, says a new initiative from Highways England. Geoff Hadwick reports on what this could mean for cutting work-related injuries and incidents
    Read More
  • Continental concept vehicle addresses distracted driving
    February 8, 2013
    According to the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), an average of ten drivers in the US is killed and more than 1,100 people are injured every day as a result of accidents caused by distracted drivers. To address this ongoing concern, automotive supplier Continental has developed a concept vehicle, the driver focus vehicle, where driver assistance systems are linked to a highly versatile LED light strip to create a powerful tool against driver distraction. In its driver focus vehicle, Continental has
    Read More

Highlighted Content