Pedestrian Technology: Credible or Questionable?

Engineers are hard at work every day, innovating new ways to make roads safer for walkers. From 3D crosswalks to zombie crosswalk lights, there have been countless attempts to protect all road users. But, not all of these imaginative solutions are created equal.

So, we’re reviewing a few technological ideas– to find out which ones we think are credible and which ones are questionable.

---

3D crosswalks – QUESTIONABLE

No, they’re not actually 3D – your car will be just fine. These are crosswalks that are painted to look like they’re sticking up out of the ground. Meant to gain the attention of drivers and encourage them to stop, this feature would be cheap to install. Other types of unique crosswalk paint – like this one painted like a keyboard – could also have the same effect. Unfortunately, testing by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) found they could be potentially dangerous. The study explains that a “significant percentage of drivers” actually swerved or drove erratically when they saw the crosswalks.

---

Leading pedestrian interval systems (LPIs) – CREDIBLE

These innovative systems have proven to be effective and cost-efficient when cities have the capability to install them into pre-existing traffic communications networks. LPIs ensure pedestrians always have the right of way by issuing the “walk” signal at a crosswalk three to seven seconds before the light for drivers turns green. This way, walkers are already well into the crosswalk – and far more visible than on the sidewalk – by the time drivers make a right or left turn. The National Association of City Transportation Officials has estimated that LPIs can reduce pedestrian crash rates by up to 60%. We’re on board!

---

 Augmented reality in Google Maps – QUESTIONABLE

 Here’s new technology that could help walkers find their way around more easily – or could make them more distracted than ever. Google began piloting AR in its Maps app in May. With this new feature, app users can hold the camera of their phone up to their surroundings, and Google will display directions in the form of giant arrows and street names on the real roads. This could be incredibly helpful for city walkers with phones that struggle to find their GPS location, but will also give them another reason to look down at their phone instead of where they’re going. So, we’re labeling this one as questionable for now, but are excited to see how the app develops.

---

Rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) – CREDIBLE

You’ve probably seen them in your neighborhood: pedestrian crossing signs with a button on the side that will turn on flashing lights when you’re ready to cross. This crosswalk safety technology has proven to be effective time and time again – but comes with a pretty hefty price tag. Though, if cities are willing to install them, they are worth every penny in pedestrian lives saved. RRFBs can reduce pedestrian crashes by up to 47 percent, according to the Transportation Research Board.

---

Zombie crosswalk lights – QUESTIONABLE

Don’t worry – there are no actual zombies involved in this crosswalk technology. Named for so called “zombie pedestrians” who don’t look up from their phone when they walk, these LED strips on the sidewalk display the color of the upcoming stoplight. This way, pedestrians don’t have to look up from their phone in order to know when it’s safe to cross the road. Could this be a good idea? Sure. Is there any actual proof that they work? Not yet. Zombie crosswalk lights haven’t made their way to the U.S., but they have been used by governments in other countries to cope with distracted walkers.

---

Road Diets – CREDIBLE

The road diet – no, it’s not when you cut back on the Doritos on your trip from Orlando to visit your cousin in Miami. Road diets are used by city planners and involve taking large, multi-lane roads and shrinking them down to one or two lanes. City planners often use the extra space created by eliminating lanes to install protected bike lanes, cycle tracks, multi-use sidewalk paths and additional landscaping. Cutting down on road size can actually ease traffic congestion, even though it seems counter-productive. What happens is that some drivers will adjust to use other nearby roads, thus decreasing traffic to the now-2-lane road. Distributing cars among several, smaller roads, not only saves drivers time, but slows their speed down enough to make streets safer for walkers and bikers. It’s a win-win!

---

Pedestrian Crash Avoidance Systems – QUESTIONABLE

The name’s pretty self-explanatory, but the technology behind it is far more complex. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, it’s an extension of front crash prevention: it can detect and brake when it senses a pedestrian, or it prompts the driver to brake in advance. The organization has been researching the technology and tracking its effectiveness in 11 models of cars so far. While some have garnered superior and advanced ratings, others have failed to pass the test, which is why we’ve deemed this method “questionable” for right now. However, we have high hopes for these crash avoidance systems in the years to come.

---

Pedestrian Bridges – CREDIBLE

What’s a better way to keep pedestrians safe than removing the need to cross the road entirely? Pedestrian bridges do that – they allow walkers to cross above the road, where not even the most distracted driver could hurt them. The Colonial ped bridge, seen above, elevates bikers and walkers to cross over railroad tracks and a dangerous intersection. The downside? Pedestrian bridges cost millions of dollars and take years to engineer and build. It’s not a quick and easy solution, but it definitely saves lives.