Crosswalk Lighting Guided by Pedestrian Intent and Driver Behavior
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pedestrians, especially those with poor eyesight or cognitive impairments, struggle to determine when it is safe to cross a roadway due to the lack of discernible signals and unpredictable driver behavior, making them vulnerable to traffic hazards.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses sensors to gather data on pedestrian intentions and vehicle behavior, determining a safety condition for crossing by analyzing pedestrian movement and driving history, and communicates this through a lighting mechanism to indicate safe or unsafe conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional crosswalk signals are used, then pedestrians with good eyesight can discern safe crossing conditions, but pedestrians with poor eyesight or cognitive impairments cannot reliably judge safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using different colored lights (e.g., green for safe, red for unsafe) to indicate crossing conditions. This visual color-coding system makes the safety status immediately distinguishable for pedestrians with various levels of eyesight, directly addressing the reliability issue for vulnerable pedestrians.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the safety indication into multiple independent visual channels: color-coded lights, illuminated crosswalk patterns, and separate signals for different crossing directions. This segmentation allows pedestrians to process safety information through multiple independent cues, improving reliability for those with cognitive impairments or limited eyesight.
2Device complexity
If non-signalized crosswalks are used, then infrastructure complexity is reduced, but pedestrians must independently judge safety which increases vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of sensors, processors, and lighting mechanisms that mediate between the complex task of safety judgment and the pedestrian. This intermediary automatically monitors traffic conditions, analyzes pedestrian intent, and provides clear safety indications, thereby improving reliability without requiring pedestrians to perform complex judgments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service safety monitoring by automatically detecting pedestrian presence, assessing traffic conditions, and activating appropriate visual signals without requiring pedestrian action beyond attempting to cross. This reduces infrastructure complexity while maintaining high reliability through automated safety assessment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If current crosswalk signals are used, then basic pedestrian indication is provided, but they fail to account for unpredictable driver behavior and real-time traffic conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring real-time traffic conditions, driver behavior patterns, and pedestrian status, then using this information to dynamically adjust safety indications. The system processes feedback from sensors about approaching vehicles and driver responses to provide adaptive, real-time safety assessments rather than fixed timing signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-assessing driver behavior patterns and traffic conditions before a pedestrian reaches the crosswalk. It proactively prepares safety indications based on anticipated crossing needs and pre-evaluated risk factors, allowing pedestrians to make informed decisions before entering the roadway.
Data Source
AI summary
System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to improving the safety of pedestrians at a road crossing. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring sensor data about a pedestrian and a vehicle in surroundings of a road crossing. The method further includes identifying an intention to cross the road crossing of the pedestrian and a driving behavior of the vehicle. The method additionally includes determining a safety condition for the pedestrian to cross the road crossing based, at least in part, on the driving behavior. Moreover, the method includes controlling at least one lighting mechanism of the road crossing according to the safety condition.