A new generation of pedestrian safety technology has been installed on one of the busiest routes leading to Southend’s seafront in Essex.
Developed by Streetwise Technology, the smart beacon system is designed to improve pedestrian safety while giving the local highways team access to powerful real-time insights about how the road is used.
The beacon system uses radar to detect pedestrians and vehicles, and unlike camera-based systems, it doesn’t film or record identifiable footage, which makes it far more suitable for privacy-conscious public environments. It monitors how vehicles behave around the crossing, how long pedestrians wait, whether drivers are yielding, and whether they’re speeding or crossing while a pedestrian is present.
The Southend Highways team supported the installation with the goal of improving safety but are also keen to explore the data the system can generate. The installation site on Woodgrange Road was chosen because it is popular with both residents and visitors heading to the coast, and the crossing has long been a point of concern.
The Highways Team will be able to access dashboards showing how traffic flows, when infringements occur, and how behaviour varies by time of day or season. This creates the foundation for a more informed, evidence-led approach to infrastructure planning—one that can also be shared openly with the public.
More than just reporting what’s happening now, the system also begins to learn over time. By spotting recurring patterns—such as higher risk during school runs or weekend peaks—it offers a predictive layer that helps the council get ahead of potential safety issues before they escalate.
“Streetwise’s ambition is to scale the rollout across Southend,” commented Streetwise founder Dorian Isaacson. “While this first installation is focused on a single crossing, the same technology can be deployed across all crossings, and in fact, any point along the road where visibility, speed, or pedestrian interaction presents a risk. The long-term vision is a connected network that gives the city a real-time view of how its roads are performing, and how safe each environment truly is.”
The system also includes advanced accessibility features. Thanks to Auracast, it can broadcast location-specific audio to hearing aids and supported devices, guiding users or providing safety alerts. A further upgrade coming soon is in-vehicle notifications, which will let connected cars know when a pedestrian is on or near the road ahead—adding an additional safety layer between vehicles and vulnerable road users.
“This installation is a first step toward a future where decisions about infrastructure are based not on assumptions, but on real evidence gathered in a way that protects privacy and enhances public trust,” Mr Isaacson concluded.
(Picture – Streetwise)
