'Light Line' aims to keep pedestrians safer

Particularly at less busy traffic periods, pedestrians often step onto a road crossing when the traffic light has already switched to red. This does not always have a happy ending. To reduce the resulting number of accidents, DSTA, the Spanish producer of light systems, has developed a solution with its “Light Line,” signalling to the pedestrian directly at his or her feet, additionally to the normal traffic light, whether it is possible to cross without danger.

The warning light is integrated into the pavement and functions on a synchronous basis with the traffic light switch system: if the traffic light switches to red, the “Light Line” also switches to red and warns the pedestrian. As soon as the traffic light is showing green again, the “Light Line” also turns green. The double light signal is intended to bring about a higher level of attentiveness among pedestrians, prompting them not to cross the road when the signal is red, even if no vehicles are to be seen at that moment.

To get a rapid and reliable light signal, DSTA is opting for red and green Golden Dragon LEDs from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors. These provide operate times in the nanosecond range; thus there are no delays in switching over and there is a gain in safety for the pedestrians.

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