Skip to main content

Safer mid-block crossings

Applied Information has launched a configurable Internet of Things (IoT) pedestrian crossing system which is says improves safety at midblock crosswalks.
August 26, 2020 Read time: 2 mins
Multiple configurations offer wide range of pedestrian safety options

The base configuration features a pedestrian crossing sign with push-button activated flasher, IoT connectivity, knockdown detector, Glance remote monitoring and connection to the TravelSafely smartphone app.Additional features include a configurable message sign and radar-based driver feedback. Multiple units can be connected wirelessly for boulevard and traffic circle deployment. All options may be solar powered.

“Crosswalks should be a safe place for pedestrians, yet more than 500 people are killed each year using them in the US,” said Peter Ashley, vice president of business development for Applied Information, based in the US state of Georgia. “Using a combination of technologies, the crossing creates an active safety zone that engages the pedestrians and drivers to be more alert.”

When the crossing is activated, alerts of approaching motorists are sent to the free TravelSafely smartphone app notifying drivers that pedestrians are in the crosswalk ahead. The crossing’s radar detects if a vehicle is approaching the crosswalk at an unsafe speed and provides an audible warning to pedestrians using the TravelSafely app.

The system also uses over-the-air software updates for uploading multiple flashing lights patterns and configuring the digital message sign.

Applied Information’s pedestrian crossing safety system is part of the Glance Smart City Supervisory System suite of products. These can be monitored and managed from a tablet or smartphone, receive over the air software updates with customisable flashing patterns and report device performance measures.

Applied Information’s Glance Smart City Supervisory platform enables cities to manage all of their traffic and ITS assets on one web-based application. Key product areas are smart traffic signals, school zone flashing beacons, emergency vehicle preemption, transit and freight priority and ITS systems. The company’s free TravelSafely smartphone app connects drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to the transportation infrastructure for a safer mobility experience. The app is available from the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Related Content

  • Swansea signs up Swarco
    September 14, 2023
    Swarco has signed an agreement with the Welsh city of Swansea to design and install signage to support the new 32km/h (20mph) urban speed limit.
  • It’s ITS upgrade time for New York’s George Washington Bridge
    September 16, 2015
    The electronic highway signage system and field devices for New York’s George Washington Bridge are to undergo a major overhaul in a US$65.1 million project. Bridge owner Port Authority of New York has approved the project to replace the intelligent transportation system which includes the upgrade and replacement of 11 variable message signs and the installation of seven new ones.
  • Free flow tolling technology is booming
    April 10, 2013
    Jon Masters reports on the latest moves in the free-flow tolling segment. Free-flow tolling of roads and discrete infrastructure, such as bridges and tunnels, is an area of transportation that appears to be booming. Tolling in general is on the up, often still as a means for funding road projects where public sector budgets can no longer cover the necessary costs, but not exclusively so. Several high profile examples of road user charging for ‘demand management’ – the reduction of congestion as part of a wi
  • The IRF has an online safety seminar
    September 23, 2013
    The IRF is carrying out an online safety seminar on 27th September. This will be held at 11am US Eastern time. The seminar will highlight key issues such as maintenance tasks being carried out on high speed, high traffic volume roads at night. While these night time work zones do cause less traffic congestion due to the reduced traffic volumes, they can be very dangerous for both motorists and workers if they are not properly designed. Many traffic accidents happen at night due to drivers who are drinking o