Applying Wireless Technologies to Pedestrian Safety Systems
Wireless Technologies Fill Different Roles in Pedestrian Safety Systems
By nature a wireless system only replaces wires, but it doesn’t replace the information passed on by the medium. Depending on what information needs to be communicated and/or its context, different technologies are deployed.
Solar Powered System
For example, some people refer to a solar powered system as wireless, since no external wires to the system (AC power lines) have to be connected for the power source. In this context, no information is communicated wirelessly.
Wireless Sensors
Another commonly deployed technology addresses wireless detection – identifying the presence of pedestrians at a crosswalk entrance in order to activate the safety systems. The generic term for this application is sensors. There are a host of sensor technologies designed for this purpose, where some fill the purpose efficiently and inexpensively, while others are costly and less effective.
Wireless Activation Devices
A third technology can be thought of as a wireless switch – like a garage door opener, or TV remote control, or a key fob, etc. The device transmits a signal to wirelessly activate a switch. These are deployed in crosswalk safety systems at all entrances to a crosswalk so that the signaling devices at each entrance don’t have to be physically connected to each other in order for the entire system to operate.
Remote Wireless Transfer
A fourth technology is an extension of the third. It facilitates bi-directional communication for remote information transfer. The key term here is remote. This application is deployed to operate equipment without actually being on site at the crosswalk controller. This technology is the most advanced and also supports the US DOT Integrated Traffic Systems goals.
LightGuard Wireless Crosswalk Alerting System Component Option List
Outputs:
RRFB-F
RRFB-FS
Illuminated signs
Overhead
beacons
Other
Electrical loads:
MUTCD compliant flash patterns, brightness/beam-patterns, 1w, 12vdc
MUTCD compliant flash patterns, brightness/beam-patterns, 2w, 12vdc
MUTCD compliant border enhanced, 5w, 12vdc
Interface for single beacon1,2or dual alternating beacons1,2, 25w max, 12vdc
Extensible message signs1, voice message & locator tones
Inputs:
PBA R10-25
PBA
PBA Guardian
T6
Other
Activation Mechanisms:
Manual Piezo push button mechanism (4EVR), 0.5w 12vdc, MUTCD R10-25 sign
Manual Piezo push button mechanism, (4EVR), 1w, 12vdc, LED embedded sign pair
Manual Piezo push button mechanism, programmable voice message, 8w 12vdc, LED
Automatic IR (wireless) passive directional pedestrian detection bollard sensor 2w 12vdc, LED courtesy light
Motion sensors2, Microwave detectors1,2, loop detectors1,2
Power
Low
Medium
High
GRID (120VAC) or Solar
Solar: 30w min Solar Panel, 35AH Battery, 3A max
Solar: 55w min Solar Panel, 100AH Battery, 5A max
Solar: 80w min Solar Panel, 200AH Battery, 10A max
Controller
Configurable/Programmable, LCD, keypad, scheduled activations via internal RTC, data logging, supports up to 4 different outputs simultaneously
Wireless Communication
900MHz Industry Standard RF, FCC approved, secure node/gateway connections, supports 1 Master + 1 Slave up to 1 Master + 4 Slaves2 for multiple crosswalks managed from one controller
Upgrades
Enlighten1 Flash Rate, Bollard inputs, Multi-Slave (4 max), Dual Alternating Beacons, Multi-output Master
Static signs
Arrow, Pedestrian, school, etc…
1 – not supplied by LGS | 2 – additional upgrade required
LightGuard Solar Wireless System with Power, Outputs & Inputs Options
Pictured above: LightGuard’s Solar Wireless LGS-WRRFB-F System with power, outputs and inputs system options/call-outs.
System Configuration:
Controller — Configurable/programmable, LCD, keypad, scheduled activations via internal RTC, data logging, supports up to 4 different outputs simultaneously
Wireless activation hardware— 900MHz industry standard RF, FCC approved, secure node/gateway connections, supports 1 master + 1 slave up to 1 Master + 4 Slaves, 2 for multiple crosswalks managed from one controller
Upgrades
— Enlighten1 flash rate, bollard inputs, Multi-Slave (4 max), Dual Alternating Beacons, Multi-output Master
Static signs
— Arrow, pedestrian, school, etc…
LightGuard Systems is a registered trademark™ of LightGuard Systems, Inc. Smart Crosswalk is a trademark™ name of LightGuard Systems, Inc. ©2021 LightGuard Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
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