SR-RTIP-CWE Real Time Image Processing – Crosswalk Eyes is a new system that has been developed by Sernis in order to guide people with visual disabilities when they cross the street in places that do not have traffic lights on crosswalks.
The blind person becomes aware of the existence of the device through a sound identification, from one of the poles on each side of the road next to crosswalks. Then, the pedestrian calls for support by pressing the button in that pole.
The device has a camera that takes images and process information in real time to find existence of vehicles from one distance that can goes from 100m to 130m far from the crosswalk on each lane of surveillance. It also notices if the cars present in roadway stopped at the crosswalk. The system processes the information in real time, and after this analysis generates one of three different messages, according to the road traffic:
- "No cars": reported that there are no vehicles on the road, on both sides.
- "Cars approaching. Don’t cross": warns that was identified one or more vehicles on the road within the area of detection system, and therefore, the pedestrian must not cross the zebra crossing.
- "Cars stopped": notifies pedestrians if the vehicles located in the area of detection stopped at the crosswalk.
Through these messages, people with visual disabilities can recognise the traffic flow of that area, and will be able to cross the street independently.
It is Sernis’ policy to have concern for the most disadvantaged people with disabilities, in a world increasingly aggressive, massified and selfish, in which a rhythm of life faster than ever, along with complex road traffic, tends to complicate their lives.
The Crosswalk Eyes Project is a contribution to this unbalance, looking to try somehow to accommodate and harmonise safety concepts extended to all people.
