Pedestrian Safety at College and University Campuses
College and university campuses have a considerable volume of pedestrian traffic—often more than in other public settings. They are also comprised of mixed-use spaces with dorms, cafeteria, retailers, and restaurants all accessible via multiple channels—trails, sidewalks and roadways. This creates a greater potential for conflicts between motorists and pedestrians.
On most campuses, hotspots exist where pedestrian incidents occur. Facility managers use LIGHTGUARD’s robust flashing LED lighted crosswalk systems to enhance pedestrian safety at college and university campuses.
Featured Project Summary—Florida Atlantic University
| Location: Boca Raton, Florida Type: Public Sports Stadium Project Size: 20 in-roadway warning lights, 12 pedestrian detection bollards, 8 LED border-enhanced pedestrian warning signs, and 2 solar controllers with 80W solar panels |
Overview:
FAU is located three miles from the Atlantic Ocean and beaches of Boca Raton. With over 30,000 students and brand-new athletics and recreational facilities, school administrators desired pedestrian enhancements for the football stadium—which is home of the Florida Atlantic Owls. To increase student and visitor safety, the client chose LightGuard Systems as its pedestrian safety partner—installing 3 Smart Crosswalk™ in-roadway warning light solar systems: 2 at a double zone, 4-lane crosswalk with a center divider located in front of the stadium entrance, and another crosswalk at the stadium parking lot.
Requirements:
A traffic calming solution proven effective at warning motorists up to 1,000 feet in advance of the crosswalk with the ability to store data, such as time, date and movement in each crosswalk direction. Student/sport spectator excitement and driver distractions created the need for passive pedestrian detection and activation of the system’s flashing lights, with no action required by pedestrians other than entering the crosswalk.
Solution 1:
20 IRWLs
LightGuard Systems provided 20 in-roadway warning lights (IRWL) with high-intensity LEDs that alert motorists up to 1,000 feet in advance of a crosswalk. Visible both day and night, only LightGuard’s IRWL are directionally sensitive—with the ability to be aimed directly at the on-coming motorist’s line of sight. IRWLs are MUTCD compliant and a proven method of increasing driver awareness up to 95%. The client selected 10” composite (pictured) base plates.
Solution 2:
12 T6 Automatic (Passive) Pedestrian Detection Bollards
Our T6 Bollard sensor was selected due to its elliptical, elegant design and its directionally sensitive infrared light beam sensors, which activate only as pedestrians enter the crosswalk. Placed at crosswalk entrances in pairs, pedestrians automatically trigger the system’s flashing IRWL by walking in-between them—making bollards the safest, most effective activation method. Bollards have a range of forty (40) feet and contain vandal-resistant stainless steel fasteners. Standard white was selected for this project. Custom colors available.
Solution 3:
8 Flashing LED Pedestrian Warning Signs
Our W11-2 flashing LED border-enhanced signs were added to mid-block crossings where additional pedestrian visibility was desired. MUTCD compliant, only LIGHTGUARD’s LED signs contain 8 light bars with 96 high-intensity flashing LEDs. Visible from 1,000 feet, LED signs help to increase motorist yielding. FAU’s LED signs activate pedestrian detection bollards, and flash only when a pedestrian is present.
Solution 4:
2 Solar Power Control Units (PCUs) & Panels
FAU selected our advanced solar controller which has the ability to monitor and store data, such as time, date, and movement in each crosswalk direction. It accepts call signal inputs from manual push button and/or automatic passive pedestrian bollard sensors, or motion detection devices. Our solar PCU can be programmed to turn on automatically at a specific time, and then revert to standby mode for normal operation. It also contains instantaneous battery back-up power in the event of a power failure. Our SolarCalculator™ estimates power and battery needs.
