AI technology utilizing cameras will automatically detect various types of pedestrians using new AI technology in order to increase safety for both pedestrians and drivers.
Daegu Metropolitan City (DMC) will be starting a trial run of the AI Safety Crosswalk Platform, a project which utilizes intelligent traffic system (ITS) technology to allow citizens to cross crosswalks safely, in Seo-gu.
The project’s objective is to use an AI camera to monitor pedestrians and cars in the vicinity of a crosswalk. Based on such monitoring, measures will be taken, and/or information is provided to drivers and pedestrians to prevent accidents (e.g. automatic extension of pedestrian’s crossing time, warning against jaywalking, notifying pedestrians of right-turning cars).
One noteworthy aspect of the project is that it addresses the disadvantage of its predecessors: namely, failure to be operated in accordance with infrastructure/circumstances due to high cost. DMC is the first in Korea to offer an integrated group of functions that satisfy the criteria of the Road Traffic Act and, thereby, improve data accuracy and reduce infrastructure installation costs.
Regarding situation-based functions, the automatic pedestrian signal extension aims to protect those who need more time to cross (e.g. children, seniors, and those with physical disabilities) than is provided by a regular signal.
Prevention of jaywalking-related accidents encourages pedestrians to wait for their signal by issuing a voice warning. For the driver, it provides a warning through their navigation service about a potential jaywalker.
The right-turn vehicle accident prevention function gives the pedestrian a voice warning about an approaching right-turn vehicle and the driver legally-dictated information (through their navigation service) that can help to prevent an accident, such as real-time data on waiting pedestrians or whether there are other cars waiting to turn right.
This function is expected to be especially helpful because it reflects the amendments made in July 2022 to the Road Traffic Act to fortify drivers’ responsibility to protect pedestrians.
Furthermore, the data provided in real-time on pedestrians standing at the crosswalk will be further developed to be used in autonomous driving technologies because of its key role in the safe operation of self-driving vehicles.
The project’s trial run will be conducted in 12 crosswalks in Seo-gu in child protection zones that are not installed with an unmanned camera based on their connection to ITS-based lanes for self-driving cars (between Seodaegu Station and Daegu National Industrial Complex). If the trial operation produces positive tangible outcomes, such as a decrease in accidents or increased safety, the possibility will be considered of expanding it to include protection zones for seniors or individuals with disabilities.
Bae Chun-sik, the head of DMC’s Traffic Division, said, “Through this trial operation of Korea’s first integrated crosswalk accident prevention system, we hope to make Daegu’s roads safer for pedestrians. We also hope to, based on initial success, expand operations to include accident-prone crosswalks, such as those in senior protection zones.”
Source: Daegu Metropolitan City (DMC)
