An artificial intelligence pedestrian detection and warning solution has been proved to reduce collisions and near misses at a notoriously dangerous junction in South Korea.
The Nota AI Safe Crossing technology was introduced into a non-disclosed area of the country to improve safety where visibility for drivers was seen as particularly challenging. This spot was also designated as high-risk for accidents due to poor street lighting and the scarcity of pedestrians. Because the area did not have many pedestrians, those that were there were seen to be at greater danger because drivers were not expecting them. Prior to the implementation of Nota AI’s solution, there had been three serious accidents at this junction between 2020 and 2022, highlighting the urgent need for an effective safety measure.
South Korean traffic safety solutions company Nota AI collaborated with the Korea Road Traffic Authority and Regional Land Management Office to address these issues through the installation of AI-based smart crossings.
Nota AI has built a solution which uses real-time CCTV-based video analysis to detect pedestrians as they are entering the crossing, and then runs transport modelling to predict collisions three seconds before they happen, giving enough time to warn drivers through integrated lighting.
Furthermore, the lighting installed in the area allows drivers to visually detect pedestrians even 400 meters before reaching the crossing.
The warning lights remain on until the pedestrian has completed the crossing, providing a reassuring environment for elderly individuals, who tend to have slower crossing speeds, to safely use the intersection.
According to the Korea Road Traffic Authority, the average vehicle speed decreased by 5.4% after the implementation of smart crosswalks in the area. From a kilometre before the crossing, the average speed of vehicles decreased by 14.1% from the point of pedestrian detection to the point where vehicles came to a stop before the crossing.
“The rural setting with a higher proportion of elderly individuals compared to urban areas necessitates the provision and expansion of AI solutions capable of dynamically assessing situations, considering pedestrian characteristics such as age,” explained Hwangyoung Cho, Project manager & Expert in Transport Engineering. “The core of AI-Safe Crossing lies in using cameras to detect pedestrians and drivers’ positions to prevent accidents. Nota AI collaborates with partners to notify both parties not only through lighting but also through sound, floor traffic signals, and V2X communication.”
Nota AI plans to expand the application of this solution to various locations, including ports and airports, aiming to strengthen safety not only at simple intersections but also in areas with a risk of accidents between pedestrians and vehicles. With the success of the Safe Crossing technology in similar high-risk accident-prone locations, the potential to improve safety becomes increasingly promising, enhancing road safety for everyone.
(Picture – Nota AI)
