As part of a “first-of-its-kind” pilot project in Alaska, the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities recently installed smart lighting technology to guide pedestrians across a road after dark in Kodiak, AK, by employing artificial intelligence and dynamic LED illumination.
[Above photo by Alaska DOT&PF]
The agency said this nighttime visibility pedestrian project is a critical safety enhancement for Alaskan communities experiencing long periods of darkness during fall and winter.
By highlighting individuals in real time rather than relying on static fixtures, Alaska DOT&PF said this new system enhances driver awareness and allows more time for appropriate reaction – improving safety for both pedestrians and motorists.
The agency added that this “intelligent illumination approach has” been shown to improve driver visual-motor response to pedestrians at night, increasing the potential for safer crossings.
“There’s no easy answer when it comes to pedestrian safety, and we take that reality seriously,” said Ryan Anderson, Alaska DOT&PF commissioner, in a statement.
“This [project] gives us a chance to explore a new tool that supports both pedestrians and drivers by improving visibility at night,” he added. “If it works as we hope, it could become one more way we make Alaska’s roads safer for everyone.”
Anderson noted that Alaska experiences a notable increase in pedestrian fatalities in September and October, when daylight hours rapidly decrease and the contrast of snow – which often helps make pedestrians more visible – is not yet present. In response, the new illumination system dynamically detects pedestrians and activates targeted lighting to escort them through the crosswalk, drawing driver attention and reducing the likelihood of collisions.
Alaska DOT&PF said this Smart Pedestrian Lighting Pilot was developed in cooperation with Intelligent Security Systems, a developer of artificial intelligence or AI-driven intelligence software, with the agency covering the cost of installation, monitoring the equipment for durability, and conducting public engagement on the effectiveness of the crossing.
Other state departments of transportation also recently made investments in a range of pedestrian and traffic safety projects.
For example, the Maryland Department of Transportation recently issued funding to support a new slate of pedestrian safety action plan projects across the state
And Pennsylvania recently invested more than $27 million to improve traffic safety statewide through a range of projects, with $13 million alone going to the City of Philadelphia; funding that includes support for pedestrian protection-focused efforts.
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