Smart Crosswalk, Cisco Systems, Petaluma, CA
Santa Rosa, CA, Installation of fourteen In-Roadway Warning Light (IRWL) systems was recently completed at the Hobby Airport in Houston. These illuminated pedestrian crosswalks, which are located in front of the airport terminal in the parking garage, will enhance the safety of air travelers and the general public when entering or leaving the terminal area.
The Smart Crosswalk™ system designed and patented by LightGuard Systems® of Santa Rosa, CA, provides a 24/7 pedestrian safeguard. The inventor and CEO, Mike Harrison, was a commercial pilot who derived the concept from airport runway lights.
Hobby Airport officials see these devices as an ideal traffic calming measure for the parking garage area. They note that the in-pavement signal lights are especially helpful aiding daytime traffic flow from the bright outdoors into the dimmer parking area.
Hobby Airport Manager Mary Case said, “It really makes a noticeable difference when drivers enter the parking area from the outdoors to pickup or drop off passengers.”
The IRWL enhanced crosswalk system is a series of in-pavement signal lights strung across the road along side and in front of the crosswalk lines. These signal lights are positioned towards approaching traffic.
They are designed to signal at a flash rate known at Enlighten1™. This flashing light pattern was scientifically designed to capture and hold the driver’s attention, clearly defining the pedestrian occupied crosswalk zone
Adjacent LED enhanced pedestrian crossing signs are positioned at the parking area entrance. They are synchronized to flash at the same flash rate and in conjunction with the enhanced crosswalk system.
Airport authorities are especially pleased with the ease and efficiency of the automatic activation bollards. The traveler simply walks through a pair of bollards at the entrance of the crosswalk zone, thereby breaking infrared light beams and activating the Smart Crosswalk™ system.
These internally LED lit, attractive looking white colored bollards are visible day and night. They create an invitation as the “gateway” to the crosswalk zone.
Hobby Airport is the second airport in Texas to install a Smart Crosswalk™ system. The other location has been in place since 2004 and is located at the Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport.
Further information on LightGuard Systems® products may be obtained at www.crosswalks.com.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
