Safety for pedestrians and cyclists
A security system called "Rapid flash rectangular beacon" It was placed a few weeks ago in the pedestrian crossing of Avenida Solano and Avenida Del Estadio, with the purpose of improving mobility conditions for passersby y bi-users that run through this area, considered high traffic flow.
This project was devised by Gabriela contreras y Daniel Cardenas, Civil Engineering and Construction Management students from the Universidad del Azuay (UDA), who carry out a thesis based on this problem.
The students built the fast-flashing rectangular beacon, a system they say has worked well in other countries. The process consists of the pedestrian or bi-user pressing a button and immediately the beacons are lit, that alert drivers to the crossing of people. Thus, vehicles stop until the pedestrian clears the crossing, after which they can continue.
"Seeing the insecurity experienced by pedestrians and bicusers, since the city is only planned for vehiclesWe wanted to see how we can contribute so that this improves and includes other types of mobility that are more vulnerable on the roads (…) when the lights turn on the driver is alerted that there is a pedestrian or cyclist ready to cross. As soon as there are no longer people crossing, the vehicle can continue, it does not have to remain stopped as if it were a traffic light ”, explains Contreras.
Before placing the device, the researchers analyzed several aspects. On the one hand, in real and staged settings, the time it takes for a pedestrian or bicyclist to cross the avenue, which would be approximately 17 seconds. To this they added the driver's reaction time to stop safely when you see the light, which is 3 seconds. That is, the pedestrian has 20 seconds to move towards the next street, according to those responsible for the project.
“Before, the pedestrian had delays of up to a minute and crossed only when there were no cars, because the vehicles circulated at very high speeds. The device alarms the driver to stop and allow the pedestrian and cyclist to cross. It has cost us a lot but we are proud because we have seen many changes ”, explains Cárdenas.
The students also looked for several alternatives and they determined that fast flashing beacons are the most appropriate, due to the characteristics of the sector. East is the first device to be tested and it will be a base for an additional project that the students manage.
“The devices were built and financed by us. The study will last a month and we will analyze how good the results are; According to that, they would settle in other parts of the city. This is a pilot plan, ”adds Contreras.
In the socialization about the use of the device and in the placement of the signs and poles, they had the support of technicians from the Public Company of Mobility, Transit and Transportation of Cuenca (EMOV EP). Meanwhile, the Directorate of Mobility Management (DGM) approved the placement of the device, since it is not regulated.