• Extensive third party analysis of the System
• LGS state-of-the-art LED technology for pedestrian crosswalk warning systems
• Secured patent position (U.S. Utility Patent)
• Early name recognition resulting from press coverage
• Awards
• Network of "influencers" in the traffic industry interested in success of company

Extensive Third-Party Analysis Of The System
The most comprehensive study, including its subsequent update, is the Whitlock and Weinberger Report dated July 1, 1997 entitled "An Evaluation of Crosswalk Warning System Utilizing In-Pavement Flashing Lights" (Full Report) . This study, funded by the State of California Office of Traffic Safety, was based on the System operation and experience in the California cities of Fort Bragg, Lafayette, Petaluma and Willits. In April of 1998 an updated study of Whitlock and Weinberger Report was completed for the State of California Office of Traffic Safety and Federal Highway Administration through the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center.

Dr. Ted Cohn, Professor of the Vision Institute at the University of California at Berkeley, has conducted extensive evaluations of the unique "enhanced" flash rate used in the System's in-roadway warning signal. His conclusion is that the "enhanced" flash rate used in the System is a good compromise between lumen output and frequency to maximize the recognition characteristics of the light source.

Dr. Ian Lewin, PhD., President of Lighting Sciences, Inc. of Scottsdale, AZ, has also evaluated the System. He has studied lumen output and other advantages of the LED in-roadway warning signal. His technical paper has been presented at several international conferences and published in several journals, read the world over.

The largest worldwide manufacturer of LEDs, Hewlett-Packard (HP) of Palo Alto, CA has completed an article recently published in the international publication, "Traffic Technology International" by Dave Evans, HP engineer, describing the LED motorist's response of the System. H-P concluded that there were "compelling results" for the System. An earlier HP technical brief is also available for review.

The community of Kirkland, WA commissioned an independent agency to evaluate the System. This report (Full Report) was prepared for the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and the Insititute for Traffic Engineers (ITE). The report concluded that the "flashing crosswalks are considered a success in terms of their effectiveness in causing vehicles to respond to pedestrians and in terms of their public support". The United States Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) formed a committee to prepare an "Informational Report" on the technical aspects and effectiveness of the System. They hope to establish standards for the System and report the standards to the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD).

LGS has accumulated valuable and exhaustive data on the efficacy and value of its product to the marketplace. It is the only pedestrian crosswalk system that has been extensively and independently tested.

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State-Of-The-Art LED Technology For Pedestrian Crosswalk Warning Systems
LGS products provide a new dimension in public safety in the United States and abroad. Light emitting diode or "LED" technology is the emerging technology of choice for most traffic control equipment. Communities throughout the United States and the world are converting to LED based technology, specifically in the traffic signal area, due to some of the following technological advantages:

• Long lasting durability (100,000+ hours) equals energy efficient savings
• Low maintenance costs
• Lower insurance rates due to better risk management of traffic control devices
• Ease of installation and maintenance
• Technology improvements increasing at a rapid pace
• A continually evolving technology

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LightGuard Systems Secured Patent Position (U.S. Utility Patent)
Critical to this market position is the patent position of LGS products. LGS has secured its U.S. patent position in the components of the System as well as for the total System. No other company has developed as comprehensive a patent portfolio in LED technology for traffic components for the traffic industry. Foreign patent rights are pending.

In addition, LGS has sought to trademark relevant descriptive names pertaining to the product offering: "The LightGuard System"™ and "the SMART Crosswalk"™. Often pedestrian crosswalk warning systems are routinely referred to in the marketplace as "the LightGuard System"™.

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Early Name Recognition Resulting From Press Coverage
Since its inception, the LightGuard System has had national press recognition, especially in the United States. This publicity has created the name of the company synonymous with the product, The LightGuard System™. A sampling of U.S. press coverage includes the following:

• Dateline NBC's "Dateline Discovery"
• ABC News
• San Francisco Chronicle (front page coverage)
• City of Kirkland, WA Newsletter with WA State Traffic Safety Commission's "Award of Excellence"
• Popular Science Magazine
• Compendium of Technical Papers for the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
• "1998 Transportation Award of Merit" from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the transportation authority for the San Francisco Bay Area region
• Family Circle Magazine
• Traffic Technology International '99/International Review of Advanced Traffic Management
• Emerging Technology, Vol6, No.2 1999
• Electronics Now, July 1999
• USA Today, August 1999
• British Broadcast Company (BBC) Interview

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Awards

• San Francisco Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission Award of Merit
• Washington State Community Excellence Award
• California Helen Putman Award of Excellence

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Network of "Influencers" in The Traffic Industry Interested in Success of Company
LightGuard Systems experiences a wide network of "influencers" due to the proven benefits in terms of saving human lives. Local citizens, parent-teacher associations, senior citizens clubs and everyone interested in pedestrian safety respond overwhelmingly in favor of the System.

The financial costs from lawsuits and medical expenses related to pedestrian injury, decreased liability and lower insurance premiums will more than offset the expense of installing the System at many crosswalks. Thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries annually will likely be prevented nationwide by the full implementation of this type of warning system. Savings lives and injuries will be the ultimate measure of the success of LightGuard Systems.