Innovation That Matters

In Sydney, traffic lights in the ground for smartphone natives

Telecommunications

The New South Wales government will install in-ground traffic lights at five pedestrian crossings this year.

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Despite countless advertising campaigns discouraging it, texting on the move is not going away. In response, cities have begun to adapt their infrastructure to better suit the ‘Smombies’ — smartphone zombies. Germany is experimenting with traffic lights in the ground at tram stops, and now the Australian government is also installing in-ground traffic lights on a larger scale.

Later this year, lights will be installed at five pedestrian crossings in the Sydney for a six month trial period. The project will cost the New South Wales government AUD 250,000 (USD 185,000) but could help to reverse a huge increase in the number of pedestrian deaths on NSW road, which jumped 50 percent from 2014-2015 to 61 casualties. The lights, which naturally align with a smombie’s eyeline, will turn red when it is dangerous to cross.

Could this system become the norm?

Website: www.nsw.gov.au

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