Beyond Black and White: The Power of Data in Smart Zebra Crossings

A zebra crossing is a simple yet essential part of urban infrastructure—painted stripes on the road, a flashing beacon, and a safe place for pedestrians to cross. But what if a zebra crossing could do more? What if it could think, see, and adapt?

At Streetwise Technology, we’re transforming these everyday crossings into intelligent data hubs that actively enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and provide crucial insights for infrastructure planning. Our smart zebra crossings are more than just painted lines on asphalt; they are dynamic systems designed to collect and analyse real-world data in ways that benefit pedestrians, drivers, and city planners alike.

What Data Does a Smart Zebra Crossing Collect?

Traditional crossings offer a passive experience—pedestrians walk, vehicles stop (hopefully), and the process repeats. Our smart crossings, however, gather a wealth of data that makes roads safer and traffic systems more efficient. Here’s what they track:

• Pedestrian Counts – Understanding how many people use the crossing at different times of day, informing infrastructure decisions.

• Vehicle Volume & Speed – Identifying traffic patterns, monitoring speeding trends, and assessing driver compliance.

• Near Misses – Capturing instances where vehicles fail to stop in time, providing actionable insights for risk mitigation.

• Pedestrian Wait Times – Measuring how long pedestrians wait before stepping onto the crossing, indicating potential safety concerns.

• Air Quality & Weather Conditions – Evaluating environmental factors that may impact crossing safety and pedestrian behavior.

• Driver Reactions – Assessing how drivers respond to the beacon’s flashing signals and customised messaging, helping refine safety interventions.

• Connectivity & Auracast Data – Allowing accessibility-focused integrations such as audio notifications for visually impaired users.

Turning Data Into Actionable Insights

Collecting data is just the beginning. The real power lies in how we use it. Our smart crossings are designed to provide actionable insights that can be used by local councils, transport planners, and businesses to improve infrastructure and reduce road incidents. Some key applications include:

• Improving Road Safety – If a crossing has frequent near misses, councils can install additional safety measures, adjust beacon messaging, or introduce traffic calming measures.

• Enhancing Traffic Flow – By analyzing vehicle and pedestrian movement, traffic engineers can optimize crossings to reduce congestion, particularly during peak hours.

• Justifying Infrastructure Investment – Hard data allows councils to make informed decisions about where pedestrian crossings are most needed and how to allocate funding.

• Dynamic Response to Changing Conditions – By factoring in weather, air quality, and real-time vehicle speed, our crossings can adapt in real time, enhancing pedestrian safety during hazardous conditions.

• Integrating with Smart City Ecosystems – Our beacons can communicate with other connected infrastructure, integrating with emergency vehicle systems, transport networks, and urban planning tools.

More Than Just a Crossing—A Vision for the Future

The future of urban mobility isn’t just about adding more roads or enforcing stricter laws—it’s about understanding behavior and designing solutions that adapt to real-world needs. A standard zebra crossing is static, reactive, and limited in its capability. A smart zebra crossing, however, is proactive, insightful, and an essential piece of a data-driven transport ecosystem.

At Streetwise Technology, we’re not just improving crossings—we’re redefining how cities think about pedestrian safety and urban planning. Our mission is to create environments where data leads to smarter decisions, safer streets, and better mobility for all.

Want to learn more about how our intelligent crossings are shaping the future of transport? Get in touch with us today and be part of the movement towards smarter, safer cities.