Published on: December 8, 2008

Art.Lebedev Studio from Russia designed a new lighting concept for pedestrian crossings aimed at increasing safety of pedestrians when crossing the road.

This concept is going to be implemented in the city of Tumen/Russia in 2009.

Here is some info from Art. Lebedev Studio:
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Crosswalk is a dangerous place, where pedestrians can get hit by car. Crosswalks are usually specially marked  (with signs, additional traffic lights, etc.) for drivers to have enough time to slow down.

Parallel white stripes (in some places called “zebra”) are used to mark pedestrian crosswalks in most countries.

Our idea is to have double marking with illuminated stripes put above the road. It would solve several problems.

Firstly, pedestrians crossing the road would be lit. As a rule, people think that if they see a car, then the driver is also aware. And that is only true during daytime. In twilight and at night a person on the road is really hard to see. Overhead lighting could help ensure pedestrian safety forcing drivers to take notice of crossing people  (sadly, people often suffer heavy injuries and die in crosswalk accidents).

Secondly, such a crosswalk could be seen from far away, which is especially important for poor lit roads outside the city, where drivers may not expect pedestrians.

Thirdly, stripes above the road would make an easily noticable and recognizable mark for a crosswalk, even with no actual road marking or snow-covered during wintertime.