# Flashing Zebra Crosswalks IBM Smarter Planet Creates Intuitive Street Safety Measures By Jonathon Brown | Published 2013-01-24 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ibm-smarter-planet References: [ibelieveinadv](http://www.ibelieveinadv.com/2012/11/ibm-flashing-zebra-crossing/) [IBM](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ibm-nyc-flagship) has started a campaign called IBM Smarter Planet to show they care about making this world more intuitive and easier to navigate. One of the ways IBM Smarter Planet decided to do this was by tackling simple problems like [cars not stopping at crosswalks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-yellow-lights-love-story). The problem itself is expressed in this video in very simple terms by a young girl. She points out that cars don’t stop at crosswalks, even though that’s the entire point of crosswalks. The video then goes on to show the young girl standing on the side of the road at a crosswalk as dozens of cars pass through without the slightest hesitation. IBM Smarter Planet found a simple solution to this problem -- it created a zebra-style [crosswalk sheet that lights up](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intellino-signamic) whenever a pedestrian gets close to it. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.1/10 - Popularity: 36% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Smart Street Safety Measures:** The implementation of intuitive technologies in street safety measures, such as flashing zebra crosswalks, presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in urban infrastructure. - **Intuitive Pedestrian Crosswalks:** The development of pedestrian crosswalks that use motion sensor technology to light up and alert drivers about approaching pedestrians opens up possibilities for disruptive innovation in transportation safety. - **IBM Smarter Planet Initiative:** IBM's Smarter Planet campaign, which focuses on creating intuitive solutions for everyday problems, showcases the potential for disruptive innovation in various industries. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Urban Infrastructure:** The implementation of flashing zebra crosswalks and other smart street safety measures presents disruptive innovation opportunities in improving urban infrastructure for pedestrian safety. - **Transportation Safety:** The development of intuitive pedestrian crosswalks that utilize motion sensor technology presents disruptive innovation opportunities in enhancing transportation safety, particularly in reducing accidents involving pedestrians. - **Technology Solutions:** IBM's Smarter Planet initiative demonstrates the potential for disruptive innovation in developing technology solutions to address everyday problems, paving the way for advancements across various industries. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Playfully Branded Crosswalks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oreo-walks.md) - [Urban Robot Traffic Safety](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polis.md) - [Cyclist Safety-Focused Smart Sensors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cyclist-safety1.md) - [IoT-Connected Traffic Beacons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/traffic-beacon-concept.md) - [AI-Assisted Urban Traffic Management](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-traffic-management.md) - [AI-Powered Mobility Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aipowered-mobility-platform.md) - [Traffic Light-Inspired Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/traffic-light-bench.md) - [Tech-Enhanced Safety Bike Lights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rear-bike-light.md) - [Road Worker Safety Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/active-worksite.md)