In a significant move to address the rising pedestrian fatality rates in the United States, Iteris Inc. (NASDAQ: ITI) has announced an exclusive agreement with Sumitomo Electric Industries (SEI) to bring SEI’s advanced Pedestrian Detection sensor to the U.S. market. This collaboration, revealed on June 11, marks a crucial step towards enhancing pedestrian safety and improving mobility management across North America.
The partnership aims to integrate SEI’s cutting-edge radar technology into Iteris’ ClearMobility Platform, a leading ecosystem for smart mobility infrastructure management. This integration is expected to not only save pedestrian lives but also provide valuable data for further improvements in mobility management.
The Sumitomo Pedestrian Detection sensor, which has been successfully reducing pedestrian-vehicle conflicts in Japan since its launch in 2017, utilizes advanced 24 GHz millimeter-wave radar technology. This allows the sensor to operate effectively in all weather and lighting conditions, from bright sunlight to complete darkness. The sensor’s proprietary algorithms enable it to track pedestrians even when obscured by other vehicles, covering a wide detection area suitable for various intersection and midblock configurations.
Iteris plans to incorporate this technology into its Vantage PedSafe solution, which is designed to protect vulnerable road users (VRUs) in diverse conditions. The integration will include real-time analytics through Iteris’ ClearGuide software, providing insights into pedestrian activity and helping identify unsafe areas.
The Vantage PedSafe system utilizes advanced sensors and analytics to monitor pedestrian movements and optimize traffic signal timings. It can activate dynamic street lighting, LED beacons, and message signs to alert drivers of pedestrians, enhancing visibility and awareness. The system also broadcasts safety warnings to connected vehicles and adjusts signal timing based on real-time pedestrian detection.
This collaboration comes at a critical time, as pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. reached the highest level in 40 years in 2022, with 7,508 deaths reported. Alarmingly, 76% of these fatalities occurred in dark conditions, and the rate of fatalities was nearly double in lower-income areas. The Iteris-Sumitomo partnership aims to address these issues, with a particular focus on improving transportation equity in underserved communities.
The integration of SEI’s sensor technology with Iteris’ existing solutions is expected to significantly enhance the company’s ability to monitor, visualize, and optimize mobility infrastructure. This advancement could potentially save thousands of lives each year, particularly in lower-income communities where pedestrian fatality rates are disproportionately high.
As a trusted leader in smart mobility infrastructure management, Iteris already serves numerous public agencies and private-sector enterprises. This latest collaboration further solidifies the company’s commitment to creating safer environments and reducing traffic fatalities across the United States.
The introduction of this advanced pedestrian safety solution represents a significant step forward in the ongoing efforts to achieve Vision Zero – an initiative aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries. By addressing the specific challenges faced by pedestrians, particularly in low-light conditions and underserved areas, this technology has the potential to revolutionize road safety and contribute to more equitable transportation systems across North America.
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