Swarco SafeLight protects vulnerable road users

First published in the Intertraffic Innovations Guide - April 15, 2020

Swarco has always had the role of pioneer and innovator in the field of traffic signalling. This includes the inclusion of previously separate trades and domains as well as the creation of new interaction possibilities between infrastructure and road users. The creation of solutions for the integration of sensor technology can create a mobility system in which intelligence and sensor technology is installed at the “edges”, directly at the pulse of traffic. In this way, novel functions can be offered at intersections, which were previously not possible due to the centralisation of the traffic management system. Users can thus be offered an optimisation of traffic flows and in some cases safety advancements.

“These next steps include the integration of detection and new sensor devices into the signals for making roads a safer place in general and for monitoring air quality in the signals’ vicinity,” says Jochen Haspel, Swarco product manager for traffic signals. “We are adding several new products which add intelligent features to the conventional red-amber-green.”

The first of these is SafeLight to protect vulnerable road users. Swarco has equipped its new Combia traffic light family with an “intelligent” feature to facilitate the perception of red traffic lights. With the SafeLight application, the red traffic light is additionally projected onto the pavement, producing a larger red spot that – depending on the position of the pedestrian – is also reflected on their smartphone display. SafeLight thus not only fulfils the function of a ground light, but also draws the attention of the so-called “smombies” – smartphone zombies who cannot take their eyes off their mobile phones – back onto the road. SafeLight has already been installed in many European countries as well as in Saudi Arabia and makes a significant contribution to pedestrian safety.