In a Dubai community, fourteen smart pedestrian crossing systems have been installed, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time perception and connectivity in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). These crossings are designed to detect pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users.
The AI-driven algorithms are responsible for tracking vehicles and road users approaching the pedestrian crosswalk, optimizing the reaction time of these vehicles. The system offers flexibility, allowing for the activation or deactivation of alerts and control over their duration, tailored to specific crossing scenarios.
The alerts can be set to remain active for a predetermined crossing time or as long as pedestrians are detected in the crosswalk or nearby areas. Developed by Derq, this first-of-its-kind system in the region employs behavior prediction models to activate flashing warning signs, in-road warning lights, and traffic signal controllers, preemptively addressing potential conflicts with approaching vehicles.
Moreover, the system collects valuable data to enhance awareness among road users and improve responsiveness to safety issues and traffic performance by relevant authorities. After undergoing two years of extensive testing, the technology was successfully implemented.
The system boasts an ultra-high speed and low-latency 5G connection, enabling efficient data collection of safety events and traffic, along with offering remote operation, maintenance, and configuration capabilities for the system operator.
In the future, the 5G communication technologies utilized in this system will enable the transmission of safety information and alerts to connected vehicles approaching the pedestrian crosswalk, further enhancing safety measures.