By Fabian Koh, The Straits Times, 27 March 2017, 5:40 pm SGT
PHOTO: VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT'S TRANSPORT ACCIDENT COMISSION
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkv23zIIXGa2eA1ZRDJnYH7qh0kmn03zD9dmaaAzmOaWPlHyyy3O3i4KLw_xrMz3N5Q4Kiq4ZlEDGMB07uIVSZuquglhxtOZlgkl9ZnrggBMDtiRdi4WtW1iWOX9TuQv0KF3x3-W_e4VA9/s1600/16-42237000_-_13_04_2017_-_pixtac.jpg
http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_pictrure_780x520_/public/articles/2017/05/09/16-42237000_-_13_04_2017_-_pixtac.jpg?itok=6efnlY37
http://www.straitstimes.com/world/walkway-innovations-to-keep-smartphone-zombies-away-from-danger
SINGAPORE - People engrossed with their mobile phones at two pedestrian crossings in Singapore may no longer have to look up to know when to cross - thanks to new LED strips embedded in the pavements.
The LED strips are at the junction of Buyong Road and Orchard Road, near the Istana; and the Victoria Street crossing outside Bugis Junction.
They were switched on on Tuesday (May 9), and will be tested for six months before the Land Transport Authority decides whether to roll them out to other crossings.
The LEDs - visible in bright daylight - will go from steady green, flashing green to steady red.
The LEDs - visible in bright daylight - will go from steady green, flashing green to steady red, mimicking the sequence of the traditional Walking and Standing Man signs at pedestrian crossings. The LTA said it picked the first two locations because they are near popular amenities "frequented by a high volume of pedestrians across different demographics, such as youth and elderly pedestrians". The authority said the trial will allow it to gauge whether they are suitable for Singapore's climate.
It will be seeking the public's opinion on their effectiveness. [2]
PHOTO: LTA
Picture posted by Christopher Tan, Senior Transport Correspondent on 09 May 2017 at 5:00 pm SGT
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8zr5iz85l4TJj3cfOLEQgIFgMeVb-1_AF2FgstmoDWzaMYxbyJDDLOUOrpj1tTPkVkoS41R2h4WVnTj1PWJmGqvm98NJk4tRwowqetT2ib17PyXXyF1PngxmQoRt5AqQkgN7blCjVVpW/s1600/pavelight2.jpg
http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/articles/2017/05/09/pavelight2.jpg
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/lta-trials-flashing-pavements-at-pedestrian-crossings
The LEDs - visible in bright daylight - will go from steady green, flashing green to steady red, mimicking the sequence of the traditional Walking and Standing Man signs at pedestrian crossings.
Here are four other places around the world which have implemented creative measures to deal with smartphone zombies:
1. Bodegraven, Netherlands
PHOTO: HIG TRAFFIC SYSTEMS
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHueVeoRTwd1EQPp4Lyw_-_tKpEjokfk8H84KEj9MKWQTuABWBRTfxODAMm5mWA4oLzvZNtYBkVqTXvqTJfk60W5gHxapGewsNdAqH8BySQZenYgKo1-nL08xbYmA3LM_hNw0j3pzFDwn3/s1600/nx7sajbydjdywf1ot5j1q_bnsjl3qcmgd3ngxwd3e54.png
http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/articles/2017/05/09/nx7sajbydjdywf1ot5j1q_bnsjl3qcmgd3ngxwd3e54.png
http://www.straitstimes.com/world/walkway-innovations-to-keep-smartphone-zombies-away-from-danger
The Dutch town of Bodegraven has adopted an unusual measure of installing traffic lights on the ground, to accommodate pedestrians looking at their smartphone screens instead of at the road ahead. And they are also unable to see approaching vehicles.
The LED light strips have been installed at one intersection, synchronising with traffic signals and turning red or green at pedestrian crossings.
2. Augsburg, Germany
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM YOUTUBE VIDEO
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUuZeioEoKpWyUX9N6pL6uQqrFYN3f2HOsXsZAIShlWXeYCFz2RcC1gNlyvjzc7A03cf3muGdlM5Q18Ksvibxbed9YQECeaUtaLW-mxq7lvCg3gYhofMl_bsg3WQtuHWL1gIkf36na_Wt/s1600/light1.jpg
http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/articles/2017/05/09/light1.jpg
http://www.straitstimes.com/world/walkway-innovations-to-keep-smartphone-zombies-away-from-danger
The German authorities in the southern city of Augsburg installed in-ground traffic lights on the sidewalk at crossings in two crowded train stations.
This was implemented after they saw a similar system in Cologne.
The flashing lights, which warn pedestrians against stepping onto the road, cost about €10,000 (S$15,100) each.
In response to complaints about the high cost, a spokesman for the Augsburg municipal service, Mr Jurgen Fergg, said it was justified when measured against the damage it can prevent.
3. Bangkok, Thailand
PHOTO: THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7svaEzCOumAZdGwJ9ntwqgXq3rTftbFsWWa18sLvhfd5Wwy1SCD2BdUWBEGC069ZpsbBP5wOfBG__j2T-RanZb2iEkgSbLNJo9-8BhTLt-uOi4cHYBGXQx-AKC5zOh_xa_70RuvkZyux3/s1600/footpath.jpg
http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/articles/2017/05/09/footpath.jpg
http://www.straitstimes.com/world/walkway-innovations-to-keep-smartphone-zombies-away-from-danger
The country's first "mobile phone lane" pedestrian footpath was opened at Bangkok's Kasetsart University (KU) in 2015, to help prevent tardy students from bumping into smartphone users on their way to class.
A 500m-long footpath was divided into two to separate phone users from non-users.
The initiative arose from the Toyota Challenge 2015, which invited university students to come up with marketing ideas to solve on-campus problems.
It was implemented on a trial basis until November that year in front of Central Building No 1, which has a lot of foot traffic during rush hour.
4. Chongqing, China
Picture posted by Kristen Brown, @WSJAsia (The Asian Wall Street Journal), http://t.co/kewtb32eLd - "Smart. Also terrifying"
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLwCq8KHHz7pjsSvihTW29jlXEZ8jdrWSwIBkFWcZPReSgzF6RWK32QAooY0GYZoB2Vj005Ogwoi3ql5rvRay30UEIklYCTOALRUp93UjIV_ik7U1EvGUwSR5F_glaYwaDRHi6zczclrJ/s1600/BxoFZcVIcAAcDiR.jpg+large.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BxoFZcVIcAAcDiR.jpg:large
https://twitter.com/kristenvbrown/status/511760861073928192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.straitstimes.com%2Fworld%2Fwalkway-innovations-to-keep-smartphone-zombies-away-from-danger
A sidewalk on one of Chongqing's busiest streets was divided into two lanes in 2014, one for those using cellphones while walking and the other for non-users.
The stretch in the south-western city is 50m long and 3m wide, with warning signs painted in white on the ground.
Picture posted by Hani's on 12 September 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xIzUzwzA9Hgi_jjfrGqUaDmImpQF7BP8a38Ity0Ryx13Y6zLGLAdsPto860ASXSIuU-J08A1g0P65Ih9njFEL-ooBibRqTAjGjD4ZWYOw0xaxtCJzUbZwl1ZqypYT7bqbeVcnnSVXNtK/s1600/2015+-+1.jpg
By Fabian Koh, The Straits Times, 27 March 2017, 5:40 pm SGT
Reference
[1] Fabian Koh, The Straits Times, Singapore trials LED lights on pavements: What other places are doing to keep smartphone zombies safe, posted on 27 March 2017at 5:40 pm SGT, http://www.straitstimes.com/world/walkway-innovations-to-keep-smartphone-zombies-away-from-danger
[2] Christopher Tan, Senior Transport Correspondent, LTA trials flashing pavements at pedestrian crossings, Published on 09 May 2017 at 5:00 pm SGT, http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/lta-trials-flashing-pavements-at-pedestrian-crossings
Links
installing traffic lights on the ground, to accommodate pedestrians looking at their smartphone screens instead of at the road ahead. - http://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/dutch-town-installs-traffic-lights-on-the-ground-for-pedestrians-who-cant-take-their
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkv23zIIXGa2eA1ZRDJnYH7qh0kmn03zD9dmaaAzmOaWPlHyyy3O3i4KLw_xrMz3N5Q4Kiq4ZlEDGMB07uIVSZuquglhxtOZlgkl9ZnrggBMDtiRdi4WtW1iWOX9TuQv0KF3x3-W_e4VA9/s1600/16-42237000_-_13_04_2017_-_pixtac.jpg
- http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_pictrure_780x520_/public/articles/2017/05/09/16-42237000_-_13_04_2017_-_pixtac.jpg?itok=6efnlY37
- http://www.straitstimes.com/world/walkway-innovations-to-keep-smartphone-zombies-away-from-danger
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8zr5iz85l4TJj3cfOLEQgIFgMeVb-1_AF2FgstmoDWzaMYxbyJDDLOUOrpj1tTPkVkoS41R2h4WVnTj1PWJmGqvm98NJk4tRwowqetT2ib17PyXXyF1PngxmQoRt5AqQkgN7blCjVVpW/s1600/pavelight2.jpg
- http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/articles/2017/05/09/pavelight2.jpg
- http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/lta-trials-flashing-pavements-at-pedestrian-crossings
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHueVeoRTwd1EQPp4Lyw_-_tKpEjokfk8H84KEj9MKWQTuABWBRTfxODAMm5mWA4oLzvZNtYBkVqTXvqTJfk60W5gHxapGewsNdAqH8BySQZenYgKo1-nL08xbYmA3LM_hNw0j3pzFDwn3/s1600/nx7sajbydjdywf1ot5j1q_bnsjl3qcmgd3ngxwd3e54.png
- http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/articles/2017/05/09/nx7sajbydjdywf1ot5j1q_bnsjl3qcmgd3ngxwd3e54.png
- http://www.straitstimes.com/world/walkway-innovations-to-keep-smartphone-zombies-away-from-danger
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUuZeioEoKpWyUX9N6pL6uQqrFYN3f2HOsXsZAIShlWXeYCFz2RcC1gNlyvjzc7A03cf3muGdlM5Q18Ksvibxbed9YQECeaUtaLW-mxq7lvCg3gYhofMl_bsg3WQtuHWL1gIkf36na_Wt/s1600/light1.jpg
- http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/articles/2017/05/09/light1.jpg
- http://www.straitstimes.com/world/walkway-innovations-to-keep-smartphone-zombies-away-from-danger
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7svaEzCOumAZdGwJ9ntwqgXq3rTftbFsWWa18sLvhfd5Wwy1SCD2BdUWBEGC069ZpsbBP5wOfBG__j2T-RanZb2iEkgSbLNJo9-8BhTLt-uOi4cHYBGXQx-AKC5zOh_xa_70RuvkZyux3/s1600/footpath.jpg
- http://www.straitstimes.com/sites/default/files/articles/2017/05/09/footpath.jpg
- http://www.straitstimes.com/world/walkway-innovations-to-keep-smartphone-zombies-away-from-danger
- http://t.co/kewtb32eLd
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLwCq8KHHz7pjsSvihTW29jlXEZ8jdrWSwIBkFWcZPReSgzF6RWK32QAooY0GYZoB2Vj005Ogwoi3ql5rvRay30UEIklYCTOALRUp93UjIV_ik7U1EvGUwSR5F_glaYwaDRHi6zczclrJ/s1600/BxoFZcVIcAAcDiR.jpg+large.jpg
- https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BxoFZcVIcAAcDiR.jpg:large
- https://twitter.com/kristenvbrown/status/511760861073928192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.straitstimes.com%2Fworld%2Fwalkway-innovations-to-keep-smartphone-zombies-away-from-danger
- https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xIzUzwzA9Hgi_jjfrGqUaDmImpQF7BP8a38Ity0Ryx13Y6zLGLAdsPto860ASXSIuU-J08A1g0P65Ih9njFEL-ooBibRqTAjGjD4ZWYOw0xaxtCJzUbZwl1ZqypYT7bqbeVcnnSVXNtK/s1600/2015+-+1.jpg
- https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0sp0-evU8yk/VfNV8lt-chI/AAAAAAAAjZ8/dfKm95qvewYLHZvM5fDDOdd-LZnkoniYQCL0B/w708-h381-no/2015%2B-%2B1 - (2015 - 1.jpg)
- https://plus.google.com/rop/1/wm/1/photos/101270478334992029254/albums/6193388413642891457/6193388411970023954?pid=6193388411970023954&oid=101270478334992029254