(haipo) Following a successful two-year pilot approved by the Ministry of Transportation's testing committee, the Haifa Municipality will begin using an innovative system that automatically identifies pedestrians and activates the green traffic light for them, even without pressing the crosswalk button. The system is designed to increase pedestrian safety at signalized crosswalks and reduce the risk of accidents.
A system based on smart cameras and sensors
The system, developed for the Haifa Municipality by the company "Shikon ve Binui Solel Boneh-Menora Systems", is based on advanced cameras with video analysis capabilities, which automatically identify pedestrians approaching the crosswalk. Upon detecting a pedestrian wishing to cross the road, the system immediately sends a request command to the traffic light controller, as happens when the pedestrian presses the crosswalk button, thus allowing the traffic light to turn green within a few seconds.
In addition, the system includes two smart sensors: one identifies the pedestrian and cancels the requirement if he or she has left the scene or crossed at a red light, and the second sensor tracks pedestrians while crossing and automatically extends the duration of the green light for the elderly, people with disabilities, or anyone crossing the road slowly.
Successful pilot on Oskar Schindler Street
In the first phase, the system was installed at the signalized pedestrian crossing at 7 Oskar Schindler Street, which includes a traffic jam in its center. The pilot, which lasted about two years, included data collection at different times of the day and under various traffic conditions, and at the end, the system was approved by the Ministry of Transportation's testing committee.
The new system provides an additional layer of safety for pedestrians and may prevent many accidents at crosswalks. It helps parents who are holding a baby or small child and cannot let go of their hand to press the button, the elderly, children and any pedestrian who may not activate the crossing button. In light of the success of the pilot, the Haifa Municipality now intends to expand the deployment of the system to additional intersections throughout the city where there is a significant encounter between vehicle traffic and pedestrians.
Alarming data: 80% of pedestrian accidents occur at crosswalks
According to data from the "Road Safety Headquarters" in the Haifa Municipality, in the years 2021-2025, 635 accidents occurred in Haifa in which pedestrians were injured, with 513 of them, constituting approximately 80%, occurring at crosswalks. In light of the difficult data and the scope of the phenomenon, the Haifa Municipality worked to develop the innovative system, which will constitute another pillar in the municipal fight against road accidents and the protection of pedestrians.
The Mayor of Haifa, Yona Yahav, He said, "Reducing road accidents and protecting human lives are a central goal for us. This innovative system is an excellent example of how innovation and technology can save lives. We will continue to invest in advanced solutions and safe infrastructure to make Haifa a safer city for pedestrians, drivers and all road users."
"Harnessing technology to save lives"
Haifa Municipality Director General, David Luria, noted that "the data shows how much we need to act decisively and creatively to reduce pedestrian injuries in the city. The new system is an example of our ability to identify a safety need and develop an advanced technological solution for it, which adds a significant layer of protection at pedestrian crossings."
Eng. Hagit Roter, Deputy Division Manager and Director of the Traffic and Technology Center at the Operations and Infrastructure Development Administration in the Haifa Municipality, She added that "the system does not replace the vigilance of drivers and pedestrians, but rather adds a smart layer of protection that identifies situations in which road users do not activate the crossing button and ensures that they too will be given the opportunity to cross safely."
CEO of Menora Systems, Eviatar Hachmon, He said, "Our commitment to the city and its residents is expressed in a professional, persistent and ongoing effort to harness technology and innovation to improve road safety and protect human lives."
Everything was done with the lack of transparency that characterizes the Harpa municipality. They tell in retrospect about an experiment that it was necessary to inform the public about.
Laws that have turned the road into the control of pedestrians. They no longer take responsibility for their lives. They hope that drivers will stop even if they are not crossing. At a crosswalk.
A country with laws that no other country in the world has.
You probably didn't take your head out of the country to see that we are entering the third world.
I'm just asking: Has anyone thought about the drivers too? After all, whatever happens, the pedestrian will cross safely because the driver will stop at the red light. 2 minutes later, another pedestrian will want to cross the road and the light will be red again, and so on. At this rate (which is not unreasonable at all), a traffic jam of cars will form within minutes, and then what good did the wise men do with their regulation?
There are plenty of plans, but in the meantime, replace the burnt-out street lighting bulbs throughout Haifa.
😍These dangerous, long crosswalks: In 2 stages, crossings are often not coordinated: 1 "green" = walk! 1 - "red" = stop! And you are stuck on a "no traffic" in the middle of the road... near the "Maxim" restaurant and the Etzel, in the center of the Carmel opposite the "Auditorium", opposite the "Grand Canyon", in the French Carmel - from "Krieger" and more...
It is mandatory to "coordinate" these crosswalk lights for the "safety and security" of pedestrians...!!!😭😭😭
A frog in slowly boiling water. We won't feel it when they use it against the civilians.
Do the cameras store the information?
What are the capabilities of the above cameras - do they have facial recognition capabilities, for example?
There's a lot of information missing here. There's no transparency.
"Smart" cameras, smart devices, smart cars - how come we are still stupid and retarded?
New buildings are well-maintained and we still allow dogs and cats to urinate and grow up in the square. Shhhhh, come on, Mookie, let's run away quickly, Mookie, get in the elevator, get in.
How is it that a person is willing to take his household waste to the forest and throw it there and not near the central bin, a bin on another street, a bin in a shopping center, no! He wants to throw the garbage in the forest.
And more and more examples for the most part.
I sobered up at 49 – when did you/will you?!
Harnessing technology to track residents