In an increasingly urbanized world, pedestrian safety is paramount. Every day, countless vulnerable road users (VRUs) navigate our roadways, whether commuting to work, walking to school, or boarding public transit. Unfortunately, pedestrian fatalities and injuries remain a critical concern. Many of these tragedies are preventable, highlighting an urgent need for innovative solutions that empower communities to create safer environments for all road users. Enter Vantage PedSafe™—an advanced pedestrian radar detection system that is revolutionizing intersection and crosswalk safety, propelling us toward a future where Vision Zero is not just an aspiration, but a reality. In an increasingly urbanized world, pedestrian safety is paramount. Every day, countless vulnerable road users (VRUs) navigate our roadways, whether commuting to work, walking to school, or boarding public transit. Unfortunately, pedestrian fatalities and injuries remain a critical concern. Many of these tragedies are preventable, highlighting an urgent need for innovative solutions that empower communities to create safer environments for all road users. Enter Vantage PedSafe™—an advanced pedestrian radar detection system that is revolutionizing intersection and crosswalk safety, propelling us toward a future where Vision Zero is not just an aspiration, but a reality.

Vantage PedSafe is a comprehensive, intelligent sensor-based solution designed to address the multifaceted challenges of pedestrian safety. At its core lies advanced radar technology, capable of detecting pedestrians with great accuracy, regardless of lighting conditions, weather, or if they are obscured by other objects.

An installation of Vantage PedSafe at a mid-block crossing with a high volume of both vehicles and pedestrians.

Advanced Pedestrian Radar

The solution addresses many of the limitations of traditional pedestrian detection methods. Relying solely on push buttons or driver visibility to detect pedestrians often falls short. Pedestrians may forget to activate buttons, signals can be obscured, or drivers may simply not see individuals, especially in low-light conditions. Vantage PedSafe’s 60 GHz millimeter-wave radar technology pierces through darkness, fog, rain, and snow, helping to ensure that pedestrians are detected accurately, even when human visibility is compromised. This all-weather, 24-hour light conditions capability is crucial, considering that a significant percentage of pedestrian fatalities occur during nighttime hours.

Activated Flashers, Signage, and Lighting

Beyond detection, Vantage PedSafe actively enhances real-time safety measures. Upon detecting a pedestrian stepping into a crosswalk, the system can trigger a range of dynamic countermeasures. This includes the activation of existing roadside warnings or blank-out signs. PedSafe can also communicate pedestrian presence to activate supplemental overhead lighting—and as with flashers and blank-out signage, when and only when someone enters the crosswalk.

Red-Phase Extension

Perhaps the biggest contribution to pedestrian safety the technology offers is its ability to hold the signal phase until pedestrians are fully across, even if they are moving slower than the original signal timing would allow for. This is because unlike traditional systems, PedSafe can detect VRUs at mid-block. This helps protect those with disabilities, young children, or folks who are simply moving at a slower pace and may not be able to clear the crosswalk within the standard allotted time. This adaptive signal timing prioritizes pedestrian safety without unnecessarily impacting traffic flow, as the red light is only delayed when truly needed. This seamless integration with existing traffic infrastructure makes Vantage PedSafe a highly adaptable and efficient solution for communities of all sizes.

Pedestrian Safety in San Marcos, Texas

Real-world deployments are already demonstrating the tangible impact of Vantage PedSafe. In places like San Marcos, Texas, where a high-volume road cuts through a bustling university campus, Vantage PedSafe has transformed pedestrian safety at a high-risk mid-block crossing. By detecting students (even without button presses) and activating appropriate lighting and signage, the system has significantly mitigated risks in an environment with constant pedestrian activity and limited visibility. Such success stories underscore the system’s scalability and adaptability to diverse urban and suburban environments.

Supplemental lighting illuminates a crossing pedestrian at night for motorists in San Marcos, Texas.

Valuable Data Collection

Vantage PedSafe also provides invaluable data-driven insights for proactive safety planning and evaluation. Every detection, every interaction, and every crossing event is captured and integrated into Iteris’ ClearGuide® traffic analytics platform. This rich data set allows traffic agencies to visualize pedestrian activity, understand pedestrian volumes, track crossing speeds, and identify locations where vulnerable road users are most at risk. This intelligence is crucial for:

• Identifying high-risk areas: Agencies can pinpoint intersections and mid-block crossings with a disproportionately high number of pedestrian activities or near-misses, enabling targeted interventions.
• Optimizing signal timings: The data provides the empirical evidence needed to adjust pedestrian clearance times, ensuring they are appropriate for the actual walking speeds of the community.
• Assessing countermeasure effectiveness: By monitoring changes in pedestrian behavior and safety outcomes after implementing Vantage PedSafe, agencies can quantify the positive impact of their investments and refine future strategies.
• Supporting funding applications: Robust data on pedestrian activity and safety improvements can significantly strengthen grant applications for future infrastructure enhancements.
• Addressing “jaywalking” and non-compliant crossings: The system can even detect instances of pedestrians crossing outside of designated areas, providing data to inform educational campaigns or infrastructure modifications.

The Vantage PedSafe detection system represents a significant leap forward in pedestrian safety technology. Its advanced radar detection, real-time countermeasure capabilities, and robust data analytics combine to create a comprehensive solution that empowers communities to actively safeguard their most vulnerable road users. By transforming how we manage intersections and crosswalks, Vantage PedSafe helps to further protect the well-being of our communities, paving the way for a future where every step taken on our roadways is a safe one.

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