Iteris Inc. (NASDAQ: ITI), a leader in smart mobility infrastructure management, has announced an exclusive partnership with Sumitomo Electric Industries (SEI) to introduce the Sumitomo Pedestrian Detection sensor to the U.S. market. This collaboration aims to integrate SEI's advanced radar technology into Iteris's ClearMobility Platform, with the goal of saving pedestrian lives and enhancing mobility management through valuable data insights.
The Sumitomo Pedestrian Detection sensor employs state-of-the-art radar technology for high-accuracy pedestrian detection. Since its 2017 launch, it has significantly reduced pedestrian-vehicle conflicts in Japan, especially benefiting vulnerable populations like the elderly. Integrating this technology into Iteris's ClearMobility Platform will bolster its transportation safety solutions and provide detailed pedestrian data to enhance its comprehensive mobility dataset.
The sensor's advanced features allow it to function under all weather and lighting conditions, from bright sunlight to complete darkness, thanks to its 24 GHz millimeter-wave radar technology. Proprietary algorithms enable it to track pedestrians even when obscured by other vehicles, encompassing a wide detection area suitable for various intersection and midblock configurations.
This sensor will be incorporated into Iteris's Vantage PedSafe solution, which includes real-time analytics through Iteris's ClearGuide software. ClearGuide provides insights into pedestrian activity and helps identify unsafe areas.
Vantage PedSafe, a crucial component of Iteris's detection solutions, aims to protect vulnerable road users in various conditions, making it ideal for high-traffic areas such as intersections, school zones, university campuses, transportation hubs, and entertainment venues. The system uses advanced sensors and analytics to monitor pedestrian movements and optimize traffic signal timings, ensuring safer crossings.
Vantage PedSafe can activate dynamic street lighting, LED beacons, and message signs to alert drivers of pedestrians, enhancing visibility and awareness. Additionally, the system broadcasts safety warnings to connected vehicles and optimizes traffic operations by adjusting signal timing based on real-time pedestrian detection. These innovative features significantly reduce accidents while improving overall traffic flow, underscoring Iteris's commitment to pedestrian safety and modern transportation solutions.
Vision Zero, an initiative aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries, is another aspect of this push for enhanced pedestrian safety. Vantage PedSafe addresses higher pedestrian fatality rates in lower-income areas, aiding agencies in securing safety-related grants by demonstrating effective safety improvements. In 2022, pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. reached their highest level in 40 years, with 7,508 deaths, 76% occurring in dark conditions. The fatality rate was nearly double in lower-income areas, highlighting the critical need for advanced pedestrian detection solutions like those provided by Iteris. Implementing these solutions could save thousands of lives annually, particularly in underserved communities.
Iteris continues to monitor, visualize, and optimize mobility infrastructure to ensure safe roads, efficient travel, and thriving communities. Trusted by various private-sector enterprises and thousands of public agencies, Iteris remains a leader in smart mobility infrastructure management. This latest integration promises to create safer environments and reduce traffic fatalities across the U.S.
