Navigating without peril through a busy city intersection may soon get a bit easier, according to Raytheon Co., which recently unveiled its intelligent traffic system.
Says Brian Hickey, director of the company’s network centric strategic management systems, “We are applying our expertise in sensor technology that we deploy to protect troops on the battlefield and using it in this application to increase pedestrian safety in urban traffic areas.”
Nearly 8,570 people died and about 1.4 million suffered injuries in intersection mishaps in 2003 — the most recent year that statistics have been tabulated by the government.
The system recently was tested in New York City. It relies on video processing, audio and visual warnings and dedicated short range communications to allow motorists and pedestrians ample time to get out of harm’s way.