OTTAWA — The next time you visit the nation’s capital be sure to checkout the newly installed Smartcone system situated along the bike lane on O’Connor street.
This new system — according to Ottawa Police — is designed with the safe of the cyclists and drivers in mind.
SmartCone Technologies Incorporated, is a local start-up company in Stittsville. They and Safer Roads Ottawa have worked alongside the Ottawa Police Service, to implement their innovative prototype sensor technology on O’Connor Street.
“Using an innovative approach, Safer Roads Ottawa and SmartCone customized and tested the prototype which involves using cameras, motion detectors, and programmable LED lighting,” said Rob Wilkinson, Coordinator of Safer Roads Ottawa.
How does it work:
- The cameras capture the motion of the cyclists approaching the intersection
- The information is sent to a computer stored in a protected casing on each hydro pole
- The computer then sends a radio signal to each of the LED lights
- LED lights flash as an alert to motorists.
The goal is for the SmartCone system to accurately detect cyclists approaching the un-signalized intersection of Waverley and O’Connor and to trigger a series of nine individual LED lights located on both sides of the intersection. This makes the bike lanes safer for cyclists and warns motorists that cyclists are approaching.
The system provides an additional level of warning to drivers turning left from O’Connor onto Waverley or who were proceeding from the west side of Waverley across O’Connor.
“It is important to remember that both drivers and cyclists should be approaching all intersections with caution and ensure that they undertake the appropriate safety steps which include shoulder checks up and down the bike lanes, reducing their speed and cycling defensively,” said Sgt. Mark Gatien.
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