Thursday, May 11, 2017

Singapore trials LED lights on pavements: What other places are doing to keep smartphone zombies safe

Source Website: http://www.straitstimes.com/world/walkway-innovations-to-keep-smartphone-zombies-away-from-danger
By Fabian Koh, The Straits Times, 27 March 2017, 5:40 pm SGT


New in-ground traffic lights in Melbourne's city centre.
PHOTO: New in-ground traffic lights in Melbourne's city centre.
PHOTO: VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT'S TRANSPORT ACCIDENT COMISSION 
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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.


LTA trials flashing pavements at pedestrian crossings
PHOTO: LTA trials flashing pavements at pedestrian 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
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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
The Dutch town of Bodegraven has launched a pilot programme to put traffic lights on the ground for the benefit of pedestrians who are looking down at their smartphones as they walk.
PHOTO: The Dutch town of Bodegraven has launched a pilot programme to put traffic lights on the ground for the benefit of pedestrians who are looking down at their smartphones as they walk.
PHOTO: HIG TRAFFIC SYSTEMS
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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
Flashing traffic lights installed on the sidewalk in Augsburg, Germany.
PHOTO: Flashing traffic lights installed on the sidewalk in Augsburg, Germany.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM YOUTUBE VIDEO
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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
Thailand's first
PHOTO: Thailand's first "mobile phone lane" for pedestrians has been implemented at Bangkok's Kasetsart University to accommodate tardy students who are sick of bumping into smartphone users on their way to class.
PHOTO: THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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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
Chinese city unveils sidewalk lane for mobile addicts
PHOTO: Chinese city unveils sidewalk lane for mobile addicts
Picture posted by Kristen Brown, @WSJAsia (The Asian Wall Street Journal), http://t.co/kewtb32eLd - "Smart. Also terrifying"
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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.


Smartphone Zombies…
PHOTO: Smartphone Zombies…
Picture posted by Hani's on 12 September 2015
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This article was first published on March 27, 2017, and updated on May 9, 2017.
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

first "mobile phone lane" - http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/bangkok-university-footpath-gets-thailands-first-lane-for-smartphone-users


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