A hi-tech move to help pedestrians

New technologies have been installed at selected pedestrian crossing signals in the Kingdom to curb accidents, it was announced. Smart sensor technology is being applied at pedestrian crossings, announced Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry, Kadhem Abdullatif.

He explained that the technology works by detecting the presence of pedestrians and adjusting the traffic lights accordingly. This would add safety as the traffic light would not turn green for motorists until all pedestrians cross the signal. “The ministry is seeking to reduce traffic congestion and reduce accident rates in co-operation with the General Directorate of Traffic, by implementing a number of modern pedestrian technologies that contribute to reducing these accidents,” said Mr. Abdullatif.

“The ministry has implemented smart sensor technology at pedestrian crossings. The technology defines a virtual range in which pedestrians are sensitized by employing a smart camera equipped with thermal sensors at the crossings. It cancels the right of passage request (green light for pedestrians).

“Once the pedestrian completes crossing, the signal immediately turns green, unlike the present system, which gives a specific time for pedestrians to cross signals, leading to unnecessary delays for vehicles. “Greenlight will be shown immediately after the button is pressed and the system senses the presence of pedestrians. However, it won't have a fixed duration and will turn red once the pedestrian successfully completes crossing the signal.