The second phase of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority's (RTA) "smart pedestrian signals" project has begun. Ten more locations have been added, bringing the total number of smart pedestrian signals to 28 by 2024.
According to a senior official, the system has increased pedestrian safety, and there have been no associated accidents at the locations where these lights were initially set.
"The technology is run by a system that depends on sensors coupled to a ground optical system timed to the functioning of the signal's light. It notices pedestrian activity on the sidewalk before they cross the street and at pedestrian crossings. (while crossing).
As a result, pedestrian safety is greatly improved, traffic light operations are made more efficient, and signal timing is better managed, according to Mohammed Al Ali, director of the Intelligent Traffic Management Department of the Traffic and Roads Agency, RTA.
The technology can identify persons who need additional time to cross, such as elderly citizens, strong people, and people pushing strollers or carrying bags. Al Ali added that by removing the pedestrian mode when none are found, the vehicle flow was also enhanced. This gave drivers more time.
The locations for placing smart pedestrian signals are chosen based on the distance between footbridges, the rate of pedestrian occurrences at the signal, the categorization of the street (speed limit, number of lanes in each direction), and the road design.
