Smart Pedestrian Crossing are now a reality in Salamanca.

Salamanca already has its first intelligent pedestrian crossing that lights up when it detects the presence of a pedestrian, so that the driver of a vehicle can anticipate seeing a pedestrian because they are more visible.

Therefore, from this very Thursday the first intelligent zebra crossing that activates the “machinery” of light signals when detecting the arrival of a pedestrian begins to operate in the capital.

The zebra crossing that detects the arrival of pedestrians is located on Paseo de Rector Esperabé, next to the Roman Bridge, and its mechanism is as follows:

It has a system of thermal cameras that detect the proximity of pedestrians, when detecting the presence of a pedestrian, two light signals are activated to alert the vehicles of the change of pavement of the pedestrian; the first one is vertical and the second horizontal, which are installed at the ends of the risers of the crosswalk itself. Talking about step markings, their lighting makes them visible from a far greater distance than traditional reflective paint.

The installation work for this zebra crossing has been carried out throughout this week; and they are part of the plan to reduce accidents.

This is how the Salamanca Smart Pedestrian Crossing works

The intelligent pedestrian crossing constitutes “an unquestionable advance” in terms of road safety, since it replaces passive horizontal marking (the current reflective paint) with an active one (intelligent horizontal road markings), which alert vehicles of the presence of pedestrians.

“With this intelligent road marking system , which combines sensors and led panels integrated into the asphalt, we achieve that with the illuminated pedestrian crossings, the vehicles realize that a pedestrian is crossing the street, since the road is illuminated at the same time”.

It is a “sustainable” system, which is connected to public lighting, and which only lights up when it detects the presence of a pedestrian who is about to cross, turning off when the smart sensors do not detect movement.

The incorporation of this new advance in road safety reverts to the benefit of all pedestrians, especially advantaging the elderly and children, since old people take their time to cross the street, while the younger can cross it spontaneously, without being seen by drivers”.

The operation of these devices is also more effective on rainy days or when driving at night, circumstances that complicate visibility and can lead to greater accidents on urban roads.

For daytime operation, the signals incorporate 20 high intensity LED spotlights. Vertical signaling in both day and night mode works intermittently to capture the attention of drivers.

To prevent accidents, the LED panels integrated into the asphalt of the road are complemented by two vertical LED warning signs for vehicles, improving the visualization of drivers.