The Smart Pedestrian Signals were introduced in Dubai last year and RTA has now expanded the scope of this initiative by installing new signals across 15 new locations in the emirate. This initiative will primarily help in making the roads safer for pedestrians, but will also benefit motorists by improving the flow of traffic. Run-over accidents caused by jaywalking and motorists jumping the red signal have been amongst the major reasons behind road deaths not only in Dubai, but also across the UAE. The new move to expand the Smart Pedestrian Signals initiative across the emirate is in line with the Smart City Initiative by RTA.
#RTA added smart pedestrian signals in 15 new locations. For more details, visit: https://t.co/OuTQlDLinJ#SmartCity pic.twitter.com/Ewl2lDuTIj
— RTA (@RTA_Dubai) March 2, 2018
Also read: Smart Signals to Improve Road Safety in Dubai
How do the Smart Pedestrian Signals Work?
Smart Pedestrian Signals fitted on Dubai roads are an exceptional traffic regulating system that aims at improving the flow of traffic by synchronizing the movements of pedestrians and vehicles on busy roads. It is sensor-based system connected to a ground optical system, which is synchronized with a signal light that monitors the movement of pedestrians and operates accordingly.
The smart signal automatically monitors the movement of pedestrians on the pavements and along the crossings and manages the time for the safe movement of pedestrians from one side of the road to the other. The significance of the smart signals lies in the ability of this smart system to detect traffic load on a road and allow pedestrians an extended duration to cross the road in less traffic. This will give senior citizens, people of determination and people carrying luggage ample time to cross the roads safely.
Also read: Motorists to benefit from the Road Safety Campaign for Pedestrians
Where have the New Smart Pedestrian Signals been installed?
The Smart Pedestrian Signals have been installed on many important locations in Dubai where these signals will help authorities in improving the flow of traffic and regulate the road safety situation more efficiently than ever before.
Listed below are the major locations where the new smart signals have been installed in Dubai:
- Al Muraqqabat
- Al Rigga
- Al Mankhoul
- Baniyas
- 2nd of December Street
- Al Maktoum
- Sheikh Khalifa Streets
- Al Barsha
- City Walk Districts
Run-over accidents were a major reason behind road deaths in Dubai during 2017. According to the traffic stats issued in October last year, 27 run-over accidents were recorded in Dubai during first nine months of 2017, which increased the need for raising the standards of traffic management system to improve the road safety situation in Dubai.
Also read: New Radars Installed in Dubai to Track Multiple Traffic Violations
Official Statement on the New Smart Pedestrian Signals in Dubai
RTA in Dubai is well-known for taking unique initiatives for the well-being of motorists in the UAE. Be it the initiative to paint the roads in red color in a bid to make motorists aware of a new speed limit for a particular road or a number of awareness campaigns launched to educate motorists about a change in the traffic law, RTA has always taken unique and quick initiatives for the well-being of commuters and to improve the road safety situation in the emirate.
With the new initiative to install smart signals across Dubai, RTA has now amplified its efforts to prevent pedestrians from serious injuries that can even prove to be deadly in the event of a dangerous collision with a vehicle. According to Maitha bin Adai, CEO of RTA’s Traffic and Roads Agency, the Road and Transport Authority has been focused on finding long-term road safety solutions for motorists and pedestrians in Dubai and installing Smart Pedestrian Signals across the UAE on major locations with maximum peak hours of traffic attributes to the aim of RTA to improve road safety for everyone on the road.
She added that this system will provide more time to the pedestrians to cross the road and will help the motorists at the same time by keeping a continuous flow of traffic when roads are free from pedestrians. This will help authorities in bringing down the number of road fatalities caused by run-over accidents in the emirate.
Also read: New Traffic Signs with Emojis Installed Near School Zones in Dubai
New Pedestrian Safety Technologies in Modern-day Cars
While RTA has introduced an innovative system to improve the road safety for pedestrians, the automotive industry has also realized the importance of having safety systems in modern-day cars to avoid fatal collisions involving pedestrians.
Some of the innovative pedestrian safety technologies in new cars are:
- Night Vision
- Airbags for Pedestrians
- City Safety System
These technologies are currently being offered only by brands like BMW, Land Rover, Volvo and few other famous car brands, however, it is expected that these technologies will soon be offered by other brands too and we will see these pedestrian safety technologies as a standard safety feature in upcoming cars. Motorists, whether they have these technologies in their cars or not, must always remain attentive while driving and should never try to jump the red signal on busy roads as it can increase the risk of a fatal road accident involving pedestrians. On the other hand, pedestrians should also cross the road safely and avoid jaywalking at all times. The collective support from motorists and pedestrians can go a long way in helping RTA improve the road safety situation in Dubai with initiatives like Smart Pedestrian Signals and many others.
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