Futian uses new tech at pedestrian crossings

Shenzhen has recently pioneered the use of laser safety warning devices at two busy pedestrian crossings in Futian District, namely the intersection of Xiangmei and Shangbao roads and Nongyuan and Runyuan roads.

The red laser that the devices emit will neither affect normal traffic nor harm the pedestrians, according to the Shenzhen Municipal Transport Bureau.

A warning devise that emits red laser stands aside a pedestrian crossing. Courtesy of the city’s transport bureau

When pedestrians are about to walk on the pedestrian crossing, the devices can detect pedestrians and project 28 red laser beams on the pedestrians’ calves forming a “red boot” projection, so that drivers can be warned even at a distance.

The laser light will not shine on people’s eyes. The laser light is safe for humans, and its light intensity is less than 1% of stage lighting, officials said.

To ensure normal running of motor vehicles, the devices will not emit laser when there is no pedestrian passing.

A set of warning devises brings a red glow to the legs of the pedestrians walking across the intersection of Nongyuan and Runyuan roads in Futian.

The devices, having been tested by the national traffic safety product quality supervision and testing center, can effectively improve drivers’ visual warning distance to 100 meters or more under various road and weather conditions and lighting environments, to better ensure pedestrian safety at intersections.

In the future, the devices will be mainly used at pedestrian crossings where there are no traffic lights at night or where pedestrians run red lights frequently to alert passing vehicles and people who are hooked on their mobile phones while walking, thus reducing the occurrence of traffic accidents.