SafeCross · Course proposal

Crosswalks should be the safest part of the street.

Pedestrian fatalities have climbed for over a decade. SafeCross combines three layers: smart LED crosswalks, AI traffic monitoring, and redesigned raised infrastructure. Together they protect people at the curb.

Isometric diagram of a smart intersection: AI cameras, detection zones, and vehicle and pedestrian tracking at a crosswalk.
AI vision, sensors, and data flow at a single crossing.

7,500+

Annual U.S. pedestrian fatalities

75%

Share of crashes in low light

3

Stackable layers at one crossing

The problem

Marked safe zones, unacceptably high risk

Faded paint, distracted drivers, and aging signal design leave gaps that better infrastructure can close.

Panel: Rising fatalities

Rising fatalities

NHTSA reports thousands of pedestrians killed each year, many at or near crosswalks where people expect to be safest.

Panel: Poor visibility

Poor visibility

Faded paint, dim lighting, and low-contrast signage make crosswalks hard to see at night and in bad weather.

Panel: Distracted driving

Distracted driving

Phones, larger vehicles, and inattentive driving turn ordinary intersections into high-risk zones.

Panel: Outdated infrastructure

Outdated infrastructure

Painted markings alone were not designed for modern traffic patterns or smartphone-era distractions.

Our approach

Three ways to make crossings safer

Pick one layer or combine them: visibility, awareness, and physical design each address a different failure mode.

Panel: Smart LED crosswalks — est. cost $10,000 to $20,000 per crosswalk

Smart LED crosswalks

Pavement-embedded LEDs activate when a pedestrian steps near the curb: visible at night, in rain, and through glare. Pressure and motion sensors trigger the light. Drivers see the crossing illuminate in real time. Proven in pilot cities.

$10,000 to $20,000 per crosswalk

Requires pavement upgrades and power · Moderate

Panel: AI traffic monitoring — est. cost ≈ $25,000 per intersection

AI traffic monitoring

Computer vision watches intersections for speeding, failure-to-yield, and collision risk, alerting drivers and signals instantly. It predicts pedestrian and vehicle trajectories, coordinates with smart signals and connected vehicles, and improves as it observes more traffic.

≈ $25,000 per intersection

Scalable in smart-city programs · Higher complexity

Panel: Redesigned raised crosswalks — est. cost $2,000 to $10,000 per crosswalk

Redesigned raised crosswalks

Physical traffic calming with raised pavement, bright reflective paint, and clearer signage: low-tech, high-impact. It forces vehicles to slow down. Reflective, high-contrast surfaces. You can deploy today without advanced tech.

$2,000 to $10,000 per crosswalk

Deployable today · Highly feasible

How it works

From first step to a clear crossing

  1. Pedestrian approaches

    Edge sensors and overhead cameras detect a pedestrian preparing to cross.

  2. LED stripes ignite

    Embedded LED edges pulse electric blue and white, visible from over 300 feet.

  3. AI scans the lanes

    Vision models predict vehicle trajectories and flag potential conflicts.

  4. Drivers are alerted

    Roadside signals and connected vehicles get an instant heads-up.

  5. Safe passage

    The system logs the crossing, refines its model, and resets for the next person.

Benefits

What changes after you deploy

Fewer accidents

Layered safety reduces crash and injury rates in pilot studies.

Higher driver awareness

Active lighting and AI alerts cut through distraction and fatigue.

All-conditions visibility

Works at night, in rain, fog, and glare, when paint alone fails.

Long-term savings

Fewer ER visits, insurance claims, and road repairs for cities over time.

Implementation plan

Pilot first, scale on evidence

Start in a few intersections. Measure rigorously. Grow only when the data supports it.

Pilot

Pilot deployment

Install smart LED and raised crosswalks at 3 to 5 high-incident intersections in a partner city. Add AI monitoring at one signal.

Measure

Data collection

Run 12 to 18 months of crash, near-miss, and driver-behavior data. Compare against control intersections, then refine models.

Scale

City-wide expansion

Roll out validated combinations across high-traffic and school zones. Share an open data dashboard for residents and planners.

Build crosswalks that save lives.

You can pilot SafeCross at a single intersection this year. The tools exist. The need is urgent.

Authors

  • Matt Mauro
  • Eden Patterson
  • Pranav Karra
Course
English 202C · Spring 2026
Instructor
Dr. Matthew Feltman
Affiliation
The Pennsylvania State University