Researchers at the Graz University of Technology in Austria have developed a pedestrian traffic light system that can gauge pedestrians’ intention to cross the road. The system uses cameras and computer algorithms to operate traffic lights. It will be tested on Vienna’s road next year. As soon as the system senses that people are looking to cross the road, it automatically turns the traffic lights to red for motorists and green for pedestrians. According to the reserchers the green phase can be extended in the case of large groups of persons, who require more time to cross the road. And if persons leave the waiting area before the lights have turned to green, this is also passed on to the lights.
