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Australia to install ground traffic lights for smartphone-distracted pedestrians
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Pedestrians cross the street. Last year, up to 61 pedestrians were killed on New South Wales roads; a 49 percent rise from 2014. (Shutterstock/-)
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round traffic lights are set to be installed in Australia as a way to alert smartphone-using pedestrians. A trial implementation for this technology will be conducted in Sydney and is hoped to minimize road death casualties.
According to a report by AFP, the New South Wales (NSW) state administration will spend A$250,000 (US$180,263) for the traffic lights, which are slated to be installed in December for six months at five sites in Sydney, including crosswalks in the city's central business district.
The ground traffic lights will reportedly blink green on sidewalks to alert pedestrians that it is safe to cross the road.
(Read also: German city installs traffic lights on pavement to alert distracted phone users)
“Pedestrians are less protected in a road crash, and are therefore more likely to be seriously injured or killed. This is why we need to create a road system that keep them safe, and this includes situations when they may not be paying attention," said NSW Center for Road Safety executive director Bernard Carlon on Thursday.
In addition to the project, the state administration has also launched an advertising campaign dubbed “Towards Zero” to increase awareness in road safety this week.
Last year, up to 61 pedestrians were killed on NSW roads; a 49 percent rise from 2014.
Aside from Sydney, Gold Coast in the state of Queensland is reportedly also preparing to apply this technology. (kes)
