Some say that a mobile phone provides a great opportunity to improve pedestrian safety. We can also argue the mobile phones cause dangerous situations on the streets, with drivers or pedestrians watching the display instead of the environment. It is certain that the development of digital communication between motorists and pedestrians requires great care so that it doesn’t become a distraction from a solution that seeks to increase safety.

This connection can be built up gradually, and smartphones that support Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology provide an excellent opportunity for this. Apple iPhones have UWB, and Commsignia has a neat solution built on that. 

UWB acts as a sensor

In road safety, the most important thing is to know where the traffic participants are and where they are going. UWB provides exactly what we need: the position of the user with an accuracy down to just a few centimeters. For reference, other technologies offer accuracy of few meters. UWB devices forward data to our Roadside Unit – or shortly RSU – which converts this information to standard V2X messages. These messages are understood by V2X on-board devices of vehicles, and appropriate actions can be taken before accidents occur.

This way we don’t have to deal with the user’s distraction, making pedestrian safety something more accessible to all. Smartphones can even stay in the pocket, and we only use UWB to determine the presence of the pedestrian. Our V2X roadside unit can also fuse data from multiple sources, so UWB can increase the reliability of pedestrian detection in various scenarios. This is especially helpful in avoiding false alarms.

Find out more about our VRU protection and pedestrian safety solutions by contacting us here.