More safety for cell phone-using pedestrians

German transportation provider Stadtwerke Augsburg is experimenting with warning lights at two pedestrian crossings in the city in an effort to alert oblivious phone-using pedestrians to approaching trams. Rows of flashing LED lights installed into the kerb are intended to act as an alternative to conventional warning signs; when a tram approaches, they flash red to warn pedestrians that the traffic signal is red and green when it is safe to cross.
April 26, 2016 Read time: 1 min

German transportation provider Stadtwerke Augsburg is experimenting with warning lights at two pedestrian crossings in the city in an effort to alert oblivious phone-using pedestrians to approaching trams.

Rows of flashing LED lights installed into the kerb are intended to act as an alternative to conventional warning signs; when a tram approaches, they flash red to warn pedestrians that the traffic signal is red and green when it is safe to cross.

According to the Germany-based transportation research firm 7114 Dekra, an estimated 17 per cent of pedestrians engage with their smartphones in some way while walking. The prevalence of this habit is correlated with a rise in pedestrian accidents.

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Conflict monitoring systems for lane control sign applications
    November 27, 2014
    Messaging solutions provider SESA recently signed an agreement to develop NTCIP compliant lane control signs (LCS) incorporating a conflict monitoring system as a vital design criterion. This system will automatically change lane signals that correspond to the counter flow mandate. In multi-lane counter flow commute lanes, if a green arrow is displayed on one LCS, the LCS on its reverse must display a red cross. Timing on all LCS signs will be identical. Additionally flashing red crosses will be in
    Read More
  • First product to undergo Technology Partnerships
    June 25, 2012
    A Technology Partnerships study has been announced to evaluate the safety benefits of a solar-powered traffic signage system designed to minimise crashes on horizontal curves in the US. Part of the US FHWA Highways for Life initiative, evaluations will test the effectiveness of innovative road infrastructure safety technologies that are fully developed and market ready, but have had little use on US roads. Although horizontal curves make up a small percentage of total road miles, they account for 25 per cen
    Read More
  • AIT Mobility launches platform to make pedestrian crossings safer
    June 6, 2018
    Traffic safety researchers at the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) and SLR Engineering have launched a tool that aims to evaluate the safety of pedestrian crossings and make them comparable as part of a research project. The platform is intended to be especially useful for children and adolescents making their way to school safely. Called AIT Mobility Observation Box, the solution assesses crossings to help provide a basis for targeted improvement actions and for determining where the risk to
    Read More
  • Kapsch given OmniAir nod for connected vehicle RSUs
    October 7, 2019
    Kapsch has received certification for the RIS-9160 and RIS-9260 connected vehicle roadside units (RSUs) from the OmniAir consortium. The green light from OmniAir confirms RSUs meet operational standards set by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Society of Automotive Engineers and specifications from the US Department of Transportation (USDoT). The company says each unit enables Vehicle to Infrastructure communication when implemented with corresponding in-vehicle on-board units (OBUs).
    Read More

Highlighted Content