Walking may be one of the most basic and beneficial forms of transportation and exercise, but in our increasingly vehicle-centric society, the pedestrians of the world are finding themselves more vulnerable than ever before.
The good news is that technological advances aren’t keenly focused on cutting down our need to walk; they’ve also become more attuned to keeping pedestrians and the sidewalks and crosswalks they traverse safe. Read on to learn about the latest safety innovations to avoid pedestrian accidents.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
Modern vehicles are already quite sophisticated, and now they’re getting equipped with things like sensors and software designed to assist drivers and prevent accidents. Among these, the most impactful for pedestrian safety is the advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).
In a car with an ADAS, automatic emergency braking (AEB) kicks in when pedestrians are detected on the road ahead. The tech is constantly evolving to account for changes like lighting and weather conditions that might also interfere with a driver’s visibility.
Smart Infrastructure
It isn’t just vehicles that are getting smarter; our infrastructure is, too. Imagine crosswalks that can detect pedestrians waiting to cross, even in low visibility, and automatically activate flashing lights or extend crossing times. That is the reality being developed through smart infrastructure.
But even right now, connected traffic signals can communicate with vehicles and pedestrian detection systems, optimizing traffic flow while prioritizing pedestrian safety. Some cities are even experimenting with embedded sensors in sidewalks that alert drivers to pedestrians who might be obscured from view, making the streets themselves more responsive and safe.
Vehicle-to-Everything Communications
The future of transportation envisions a world where vehicles, infrastructure, and people (whether driving or walking) are all interconnected. And vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication aims to make that a reality.
For example, a pedestrian’s smartphone or smartwatch might communicate directly with approaching vehicles, alerting the driver to their presence, even if they’re around a corner or otherwise not immediately visible.
Similarly, vehicles could convey their intended moves to smart traffic lights, helping facilitate safer interactions at intersections. Real-time information with that immense level of detail helps everyone on and around the road anticipate things they otherwise couldn’t.
Wearable Tech
Your smartwatch or phone might seem like tools of convenience, but they can play a critical role in keeping something as basic as a daily stroll safe. Some devices and apps are so advanced that they can sense vibrations when a vehicle is approaching from behind, alerting you to its presence before you’d ever be aware.
AI and Analytics
Underpinning a lot of these advancements is, as you might expect, artificial intelligence (AI). It analyzes and synthesizes traffic data, including things like pedestrian movement patterns and accident hotspots, to help developers identify which safety measures could have an impact and where they’re needed most.
AI algorithms process the data from sensors in vehicles and infrastructure, enabling them to accurately detect pedestrians and predict potential conflicts. It may sound a little overly complex or futuristic, but a data-driven approach is truly beneficial, as it allows for the development of more targeted and effective safety measures.
Paving The Way For Safer Foot Traffic
Some of these measures might leave you scratching your head. Indeed, with any leaps in technology, there’s always the concern about it interfering too much with nature and how we live our lives. When it comes to pedestrian safety technology, however, the latest breakthroughs are serving as an excellent means of preventing preventable tragedies from taking place.
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