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

  • TRL showcases Transyt Online Adaptive Signal Control
    April 4, 2016
    TRL, the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory which is recognised world-wide for transport innovation, evidential research and impartial advice, says it regards Intertraffic 2016 as a great platform to showcase not only its software portfolio, but its wider consultancy, research, simulation and testing offering.
    Read More
  • Conscience versus convenience
    June 8, 2015
    David Crawford looks at new ways forward for public transport. By 2025, nearly 60% of the world’s population will be living in towns and cities, increasing their extent and density, and the journeys that people make within and between them. In response, the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) wants to see public transport’s global modal share doubling (PTx2) by the same date. “Success in 2025,” a spokesperson told ITS International, “will save 170 million tonnes of oil equivalent and 550
    Read More
  • Self-driving cars ‘a US$87 billion opportunity in 2030’
    May 22, 2014
    The latest research from Lux Research indicates that automakers and technology developers are closer than ever to bringing self-driving cars to market, with basic Level 2 autonomous behaviour already coming to market, in the form of relatively modest self-driving features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and collision avoidance braking. With these initial steps, automakers are already on the road to some level of autonomy, but costs remain high in many cases. It is the higher levels
    Read More
  • UR:BAN developing driver assistance and traffic management systems
    May 16, 2014
    European vehicle manufacturers, including BMW, Opel and Mercedes-Benz and MAN, are taking part in a new project to develop advanced driver assistance and traffic management systems for cities. The focus is on the human element in all aspects of mobility and traffic and takes the form of three approaches: Cognitive Assistance; Networked Traffic Systems; and Human Factors in Traffic. The four-year UR:BAN project (from a German acronym for Urban Space: User-oriented assistance systems and network managemen
    Read More

Highlighted Content