An embedded flashing-light system or an in-pavement flashing-light system is a type of device that is used at existing or new pedestrian crosswalks to warn drivers of oncoming pedestrian traffic. The device usually consists of LED lights that are embedded into the roadway alongside the crosswalk and are oriented to face oncoming traffic. When a pedestrian approaches the crosswalk, the system is activated and the LED lights begin to flash simultaneously. These lights are programmed to flash for a period of time that is sufficient for an average pedestrian to cross.
The concept for an embedded pavement flashing light system was conceived by pilot Michael Harrison in Santa Rosa, California, in 1992 after a friend was involved in a pedestrian accident.[1] He based it on his experience with airport runway lights embedded in the pavement, Mr. Harrison went on to found Lightguard Systems.[2]
Types
There are two different types of embedded pavement flashing light systems, passive and active. These types differ in how the system is activated.
With a passive system, the pedestrian activates the device merely by walking up to the crosswalk. This is accomplished by using one of several motion detection devices. These include microwave, motion sensors, video detection, pressure plates, or a light trip beam.[3] With an active system, the device is usually activated by a button that a pedestrian pushes to cross. These active systems are generally similar to lighted pedestrian signs at traffic intersections. Because many pedestrians may not realize that they need to press a button to activate the system, it is generally recommended to install a passive system.
Effectiveness
Compared with other types of warning devices, the effectiveness of the embedded pavement flashing light system seems to be high.[4] When approaching a crosswalk with an embedded pavement flashing light system, drivers are more apt to slow down and yield to pedestrians than when drivers approach a crosswalk with another type of lighted warning device.[5] Also, compared to a crosswalk with no warning device, drivers are more likely to slow down and yield to pedestrians when the embedded pavement flashing light system is in place.
References
^Eriksen, Olin (30 January 2007). "City Crosswalk System Out Of Order". Surf Santa Monica. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
^"Investigating Improvements to Pedestrian Crossings". FHWA.DOT.Gov. 1 June 2015. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
^"Are There Sensors At Traffic Lights?". elteccorp. 2019-12-26. Retrieved 2022-12-25.
^"Where and when LED flashing signs work best". carmanah. Jan 19, 2021. Retrieved Dec 25, 2022.
^Patella, Sergio. "The effect of a LED lighting crosswalk on pedestrian safety: some experimental results". Safety. 6 (2): 20.
embedded, pavement, flashing, light, system, embedded, flashing, light, system, pavement, flashing, light, system, type, device, that, used, existing, pedestrian, crosswalks, warn, drivers, oncoming, pedestrian, traffic, device, usually, consists, lights, that. An embedded flashing light system or an in pavement flashing light system is a type of device that is used at existing or new pedestrian crosswalks to warn drivers of oncoming pedestrian traffic The device usually consists of LED lights that are embedded into the roadway alongside the crosswalk and are oriented to face oncoming traffic When a pedestrian approaches the crosswalk the system is activated and the LED lights begin to flash simultaneously These lights are programmed to flash for a period of time that is sufficient for an average pedestrian to cross Contents 1 History 2 Types 3 Effectiveness 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditThe concept for an embedded pavement flashing light system was conceived by pilot Michael Harrison in Santa Rosa California in 1992 after a friend was involved in a pedestrian accident 1 He based it on his experience with airport runway lights embedded in the pavement Mr Harrison went on to found Lightguard Systems 2 Types EditThere are two different types of embedded pavement flashing light systems passive and active These types differ in how the system is activated With a passive system the pedestrian activates the device merely by walking up to the crosswalk This is accomplished by using one of several motion detection devices These include microwave motion sensors video detection pressure plates or a light trip beam 3 With an active system the device is usually activated by a button that a pedestrian pushes to cross These active systems are generally similar to lighted pedestrian signs at traffic intersections Because many pedestrians may not realize that they need to press a button to activate the system it is generally recommended to install a passive system Effectiveness EditCompared with other types of warning devices the effectiveness of the embedded pavement flashing light system seems to be high 4 When approaching a crosswalk with an embedded pavement flashing light system drivers are more apt to slow down and yield to pedestrians than when drivers approach a crosswalk with another type of lighted warning device 5 Also compared to a crosswalk with no warning device drivers are more likely to slow down and yield to pedestrians when the embedded pavement flashing light system is in place References Edit Eriksen Olin 30 January 2007 City Crosswalk System Out Of Order Surf Santa Monica Retrieved 5 July 2017 Investigating Improvements to Pedestrian Crossings FHWA DOT Gov 1 June 2015 Retrieved 5 August 2017 Are There Sensors At Traffic Lights elteccorp 2019 12 26 Retrieved 2022 12 25 Where and when LED flashing signs work best carmanah Jan 19 2021 Retrieved Dec 25 2022 Patella Sergio The effect of a LED lighting crosswalk on pedestrian safety some experimental results Safety 6 2 20 External links Editwww lightguardsystems com Smart Crosswalk tm In Roadway Warning Lights aka Lighted Crosswalks www LaneLight com Flashing Crosswalk Warning Systems www livablestreets com this link returns a Server Not Found error Investigating Improvements to Pedestrian Crossings FHWA dot gov This technology related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Embedded pavement flashing light system amp oldid 1129714973, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
