In order to avoid pedestrian related traffic accidents caused by distraction, the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT) has developed a smart crosswalk system with LED warning light to alarm both drivers and pedestrian.

Researchers at KICT have designed the “next-generation pedestrian traffic accident prevention system” that integrated LED embedded pavement, thermal imaging cameras, electronic sign and an app.

When the thermal cameras detect pedestrians approaching the crosswalk, it will activate the LED light embedded on both sides of the crosswalk to alert coming vehicles. According to KICT, the warning light could be seen from 50 meters away with a brightness level of 220 cd/m2. When a vehicle gets closer to the crosswalk, an electronic sign (VMS) will blink to alarm the driver again that a pedestrian is crossing.

(Image: KICT)

The system also alerts pedestrians about approaching vehicles with a 3-way alarm system. When a vehicle traveling 10 km/h or faster is approaching the crosswalk, a projector would projects a warning image on the ground while an auditory alarm system goes off, and a smartphone application warns the user through vibration and alarm notification.

(Image: KICT)

The team has tested the system with about 1,000 vehicles and reported that 83.4% of vehicles became aware of the pedestrian and reduced their speed. The system also helps to reduce the average vehicle speed by nearly 20% when approaching the crosswalk, claimed the research team.

Dr. Jong Hoon Kim, the project leader at KICT, commented, “We intend to continue to develop the system, so that drivers can be notified of upcoming crossings via their navigation apps, and also vehicles can automatically slow down when dangerous circumstances are detected."