Product Components – Features, Applications, Warranty, & Specs

At LightGuard Systems, we're deeply committed to ensuring pedestrian and motorist safety through our innovative product components. Our range of safety systems are meticulously designed, integrating cutting-edge technology, high-quality materials, and rigorous testing to provide effective solutions for traffic safety challenges. From traffic signal systems to pedestrian crossing products, we're at the forefront of developing equipment that keeps people safe on the roads, providing peace of mind for pedestrians, drivers, and city planners alike. Dive into the world of our robust safety systems and discover how we're shaping a safer future for everyone.

Want to learn more about the components that make up our pedestrian & motorist safety systems? Read more information on major components below, including features and benefits, applications, warranty & maintenance, and specifications.

Lightstar LGS-M12-SMPL In-Roadway Warning Light
Description
- Lightstar™ 12M Plus with SMPL™ is the next-generation in-roadway warning light (IRWL) is built to last with a durable stainless steel exterior, moisture resistant design, and revolutionary surface mount pedestrian luminaire uplight.
- Amber LEDs flash towards the motorist at the highly visible Enlighten1™ rate. Simultaneously, White LEDs illuminate the pedestrian in the crosswalk (at nighttime) for the cross-time duration.
Features
- Seamless, moisture-resistant design
- Visible to motorists up to 1,000 feet
- Durable stainless steel exterior that's built to last
- Superior resistance to roadway wear and tear
- High-intensity amber flashing LEDs captures motorist attention
- Enlighten1™ flash rate is photosensitive epilepsy safe
- SMPL™ white pedestrian luminaire
- Easily mounts to roadway base
- Minimal maintenance required
- Debris-Free Self Clearing built into the base plate
- Snap together waterproof electrical connections
- Fits LightGuard Systems' 10″ Composite and 14″ Steel Snow plow Resistant Base Plates
- Operates on solar and/or AC power
IRWL Applications
IRWL is primarily used to alert motorists of pedestrians inside or about to enter a crosswalk using amber LEDs, a controlled stop ahead using red LEDs, and lane delineation markers using white LEDs. Typical environments for amber LEDs include:
- mid-block uncontrolled public crosswalks
- school zones
- trail crossings
- facility entrances/exits, such as airports and hospitals
IRWL Activation Methods
IRWL can be activated via push-buttons, passive pedestrian detection bollards, and motion-activated sensors. Once activated, the light fixtures flash, warning motorists up to 1,000 feet in advance.

IRWL Mounting
- Lightstar M12 easily connects to the electrical cable system wires with water resitant splices. The interior of the light fixture unit is designed with double redundancy, isolating the sealed LED modules from environmental moisture and corrosive intrusion.
Debris-Free Self Clearing
- Lightstar M12 is designed to fit tightly into the protective base plate, containing a Debris-Free Self Clearing built-in feature. Fluted air channels push air up and away as tires pass over the base plate, keeping the LED light fixture free from debris build-up.
- The slight elevation of the IRWL fixture positioned above the road grade is further intended to help alleviate any blockage by debris. Its shallow 1-1/2″ depth ensures that the subsurface roadbed is not compromised.
Enlighten1™ Flash Rate — Photosensitive Epilepsy Safe
- Our Enlighten1™ flash rate reaches a primitive part of the brain that elicits a response to danger. It was developed in conjunction with the University of California, Berkeley Vision Detection Laboratory and designed to catch the motorists' attention without creating any unwanted adverse effects flashing lights might have on photosensitive epilepsy.
- According to the Epilepsy Foundation of America, exposure to flashing lights at specific intensities or certain visual patterns can trigger seizures in 3 percent of people with epilepsy. This condition is known as photosensitive epilepsy. Enlighten1 is a public safety feature unique to LightGuard Systems' flashing LED warning products.
IRWL Crosswalk Installation
- When installing IRWL at crosswalks, each IRWL faces away from the crosswalk and points in the direction of oncoming motorists' (NOT straight forward). The result is a slightly different, uniquely pointed angle for each IRWL.
- Before installation, the proposed IRWL site should be observed with particular attention to vehicle tire paths. As per Section 4N.05 & .06 of the MUTCD, IRWLs should be installed in each traffic lane, at the centerline of the roadway, at each edge of the road, or parking lanes, or other suitable locations away from the average tire track paths. The location of the IRWLs within the lanes should be based on engineering judgment. For additional information, refer to our published IRWL layouts.
Warranty & Maintenance
- LightGuard Systems offers a three-year conditional warranty on its in-roadway warning light fixtures and five years on its base plates. Maintenance includes removing four bolts electrically disconnect and lifting the fixture out of the base plate. Our IRWL fixtures are designed for 100% backward compatibility with any older generation base plate models.
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