While many law makers are prohibiting cell phone use on the roads, other local governments are acquiescing to their smartphone-addicted constituents by installing ground traffic lights. The region of New South Wales in Australia is embedding traffic lights into the ground in an effort to keep pedestrians safe, especially those with their eyes glued to their mobile devices and not in the direction they are travelling.
The ground traffic lights will be going in at five different intersections this year as part of a six month trial. In 2014-2015, pedestrian death rates rose 50% with a total of 61 casualties. The New South Wales government hope this measure will curb unnecessary loss of life.
As Germany has already implemented a similar initiative, this practice could be increasingly common, especially in cities with younger demographics.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Sidewalk-embedded Street Signs
- Opportunity for companies to develop and install technologically advanced street signs that can provide real-time information to smartphone-addicted pedestrians.
- Ground Traffic Lights
- Opportunity to create innovative traffic lights that are embedded in the ground, helping to ensure the safety of distracted pedestrians.
- Smartphone Addiction
- Opportunity for businesses to develop devices or apps that can help combat smartphone addiction, keeping pedestrians more aware of their surroundings.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Urban Infrastructure
- Opportunity for companies in the urban infrastructure industry to develop and install ground traffic lights and sidewalk-embedded street signs.
- Technology
- Opportunity for technology companies to create innovative solutions, such as ground traffic lights and smartphone addiction apps, for pedestrian safety.
- Transportation
- Opportunity for transportation companies to collaborate with local governments to implement ground traffic lights and other safety measures to reduce pedestrian casualties.
