Prototype pedestrian warning system has potential to minimize noise pollution.
2014 paper from the University of Pennsylvania describes plans for innovative pedestrian warning system.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Directed Audio Warning System for Reduction of Bus-Pedestrian Collisions
Summary Information
A research team out of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia prototyped a pedestrian warning system intent on reducing the rising number of pedestrian-bus collisions. The system is novel in that it achieves a high directivity of sound by emitting a targeted audio warning toward pedestrians and does not noisily disrupt the surrounding area.
The location detection system determines when a turn will be made by identifying the bus’ position and comparing the position with a saved route. If a turn is predicted, the warning system is activated. A laserfinder sensor then detects the pedestrian’s position, and a motor swivels an ultrasonic speaker to face the target and emit a directed audio warning.
Through collaboration with Protran Technology, a transit safety company that specializes in pedestrian bus warning systems, the university plans to produce a hybrid product that incorporates the directed audio beam technology with Protran’s existing turn-activated warning system. The new integrated system is expected to be piloted with buses from Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
Advantages of this type of system:
- Uses standard, off-the-shelf components with a target cost of $500 or less, which is less expensive than similar pedestrian detection systems utilized by transit agencies.
- Can easily be retrofitted onto existing buses, without the need for complex disassembly of portions of the bus.
- Minimizes noise pollution in the urban area by targeting and delivering audible noise only to targeted locations while minimizing noise output elsewhere.
