AIT researchers are developing instruments for measuring the readiness of vehicle drivers to stop
Vienna (AIT): Unregulated pedestrian crossings often are the subject of severe accidents involving personal injury. On principle, pedestrians enjoy an "increased protection" from free-flowing traffic on unregulated crossings. The extent to which this is actually the case, however, depends very much on the road infrastructure - in fact, such a pedestrian crossing may itself become a "safety risk" in certain circumstances.
Recognizing the readiness of drivers to stop using the Mobility Observation Box
Traffic safety researchers at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, together with the SLR Engineering GmbH, have developed an innovative tool for evaluating pedestrian crossings as part of a research project: The Mobility Observation Box makes it possible to objectively measure the safety of pedestrian crossings and make them comparable. Based on complex algorithms, the Mobility Observation Box recognizes each vehicle and each pedestrian and evaluates their respective behaviour.
The focus of the observation is on the readiness of the motor vehicle drivers to stop. Before, safety assessments had only been able to evaluate this at random. However, thanks to the Mobility Observation Box, it is now possible to capture the readiness to stop objectively and over a longer period of time. This leads to a considerable increase in the data quality and a better comparability of the results.
More safety thanks to comprehensive data collection
The AIT Mobility Observation Box has been designed to evaluate existing road crossings in order to provide a basis for targeted improvement actions and for determining where the risk to pedestrians is highest. But the box can also be used in the new planning of pedestrian crossings: By collecting the data of actual pedestrians crossing the street, it can be determined before construction begins where a zebra crossing makes sense and can be positioned safely.
Contributing to making the way to school safer
Those who benefit in particular are children and adolescents on their daily way to school - as the weakest traffic participants, they are particularly dependent on the existence of a road infrastructure that enables them to reach their destination safely and securely.
Peter Saleh, Senior Research Engineer at the AIT Center for Mobility Systems: "With the Mobility Observation Box, we are providing road infrastructure operators with a tool that can actually help prevent accidents at zebra crossings and thus save human lives. We want to and are really able to help turn uncontrolled road crossings into truly protective pedestrian crossings."
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology is Austria's largest non-university research institute. With its eight Centers, AIT regards itself as a highly specialised research and development partner for industry. Its researchers focus on the key infrastructure issues of the future: Energy, Health & Bioresources, Digital Safety & Security, Vision, Automation & Control, Mobility Systems, Low-Emission Transport, Technology Experience and Innovation Systems & Policy. Throughout the whole of Austria - in particular at the main locations Wien Giefinggasse, Seibersdorf, Wiener Neustadt, Ranshofen and Leoben - around 1,300 employees carry out research on the development of those tools, technologies and solutions that will keep Austria's economy fit for the future in line with our motto "Tomorrow Today".
Center for Mobility Systems
Mobility is a fundamental core element of our society. At the Center for Mobility Systems, around 100 experts are developing holistic mobility solutions for the future based on the interrelation of passenger mobility, mobility of goods, and transport infrastructure. Efficiency, safety, ecological sustainability and the human factor are at the heart of the research and development efforts. Leveraging comprehensive system know-how, scientific excellence, market knowledge, and many years of international experience, AIT experts are using innovation to lead industry and society into the future of mobility.
Contact:
Florian Hainz BA Bakk
Marketing & Communications
Center for Mobility Systems
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
florian.hainz@ait.ac.at | www.ait.ac.at
T +43 (0)50550-4518 | M +43 (0)664 88256021
Daniel Pepl, MAS
Corporate and Marketing Communications
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
daniel.pepl@ait.ac.at | www.ait.ac.at
T +43 (0)50550-4040