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VIDBE-Q Volume 63 Issue 4
signalized intersections. Applications should focus on providing precise and concise
information when needed and at the right moment to enhance decision-making. These
applications should minimally address the following issues: the pedestrian interface with
traffic signals, vehicles, nomadic devices, and automated intersection crossing
assistance, beacons or electronic tags to interact with the built and pedestrian
environment, including support for multiple languages, and the sharing of real-time
information. They should acquire and provide contextual information, including GIS and
crowd sourced information on curb cuts, bus stop locations, side walk grade and slope,
and disruptions to the built environment (e.g., damaged infrastructure, dead ends,
potholes) to aid all travelers.
Basic PedPal Technology Concept
With funding provided by the FHWA through the USDOT's ATTRI program,
researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are developing a mobile smartphone app,
called PedPal, that will allow pedestrians with disabilities to communicate directly with
the intersection and actively influence traffic control decisions to ensure safe and
efficient crossing. Most basically, the PedPal app allows pedestrians to issue crossing
requests and communicate their crossing constraints (direction, travel speed) to the
traffic signal system, so that adequate time is allocated to safely cross the street when
the appropriate signal phase becomes active. As the pedestrian moves through the
intersection the app also monitors crossing progress and will issue a request to
dynamically extend the green time when progress is slower than expected. The app will
also issue an alert if the pedestrian inadvertently moves outside of the cross walk. More
advanced capabilities under development aimed at enhancing mobility include use of
