Project Video

https://youtu.be/lMuVWdlGRq8

Type of Work

Team Project

What We Delivered

HCI Research & Concept Design

When

Sep - Dec 2023

Overview

UK pedestrian safety at signalized crosswalks is a global concern. This research focuses on developing a technology-driven solution, WALK-e, to enhance pedestrian safety by addressing key needs: optimizing waiting time, improving visibility, and improving traffic flow. WALK-e incorporates real-time data and audio-visual cues to create a safer and more pedestrian-friendly experience. Insights from this project suggest that real-time information and cyclist alerts improved pedestrian compliance with crossing signals.

I played a key role in user research, leading the development and execution of a pilot simulation. In this, I facilitated collaboration across our multi-disciplinary team and animated the project video to effectively communicate our findings

The Problem

Pedestrian safety at crosswalks is a global concern, particularly in the UK where a significant number of pedestrian fatalities occur each year. Despite being designed for safety, signalised crosswalks remain a common location for pedestrian-vehicle collisions. Factors contributing to this problem include impatient pedestrians who disregard red lights due to long waiting times, distracted pedestrians whose attention is diverted by mobile phones, and unclear information provided by existing crosswalk features such as push buttons. These issues highlight the need for a more pedestrian-friendly crosswalk design that prioritizes safety and addresses user needs.

Aim

This project aims to develop a technology-driven solution, WALK-e, that improves pedestrian safety and user experience at crosswalks. This aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Our design will focus on optimizing waiting times by utilizing real-time data to provide pedestrians with accurate wait times and reduce impatience. Additionally, we will improve visibility by implementing audio-visual cues to enhance pedestrian awareness of their surroundings and potential hazards. Furthermore, we will prioritize user-centered design by incorporating feedback from user research to create a system that is informative, intuitive, and meets the needs of pedestrians. By addressing these aspects, WALK-e aims to create a safer and more user-friendly crossing experience, ultimately reducing pedestrian-vehicle collisions and contributing to SDG 11.

Research

Existing Solutions

• Big data analysis: Utilizing data to detect red-light crossing behavior and provide warnings to pedestrians. However, these approaches often face challenges such as high costs, technical difficulties, and limited user interaction.
• Improved visibility: Employing audio and visual cues, such as ground lights and audio signals, to enhance crosswalk visibility.
• Facial recognition technology: Utilizing facial recognition to publicly shame jaywalkers. While potentially effective in some contexts, this approach raises significant privacy concerns.

A less intrusive approach involves using thermal imaging to detect pedestrians and vehicles, enabling data-driven optimization of traffic light timings.