How can we redesign urban infrastructure to reduce pedestrian fatalities to nearly zero

Redesigning Crosswalks, Traffic Signals, and Medians Without Rebuilding the Entire City

This proposal completely disregards traditional design logic and introduces an entirely new approach to minimize pedestrian fatalities in shared spaces.

1. Adaptive Vanishing Crosswalk

Core Concept:
Crosswalks are no longer permanent white lines. Instead, they become intelligent projections or illuminated ground systems that only appear at safe moments.

Design Logic:

Radar detects whether pedestrians are approaching from either side.
If no pedestrians are near, the ground remains black, showing no lines.
When a pedestrian approaches or prepares to cross, a glowing crosswalk appears.
Simultaneously, the road surface on the vehicle side lights up red with flashing warning arrows to signal mandatory stopping.

Advantages:

Prevents drivers from habitually ignoring static markings.
Enhances visual impact (crosswalk only appears when someone is about to cross).
Establishes clear visual priority, reducing psychological ambiguity.

2. Segmented Crosswalk with Step-by-Step Passage Control

Core Concept:
The crosswalk is divided into segments, each with a protected pedestrian waiting zone and an infrared gate control system.

Design Logic:

Each step is confirmed by ground pressure sensors and visual verification of a person standing.
Only after confirmation is the next segment opened (similar to subway turnstiles).
If a pedestrian falls, stops, or signals for help, the system immediately turns all traffic lights red and locks vehicle movement.

Advantages:

Crossings are no longer permitted all at once but are precisely controlled step-by-step.
The system adapts in real-time to slow walkers, the elderly, or unexpected incidents.
Vehicles cannot anticipate or rush forward, as each step requires active confirmation.

3. Dynamic Shielded Median

Core Concept:
Medians are no longer static concrete platforms but are equipped with radar and retractable defensive shields.

Design Logic:

When vehicles approach at excessive speeds, shield pillars rise from the ground.
If a pedestrian lingers too long or accidentally enters the median, glass barriers automatically enclose them.
The system alerts vehicles behind to slow down or extends the red light duration.

Advantages:

Transforms medians from passive to proactive safety hubs.
Prevents pedestrians from being hit while waiting or in secondary collisions.
Stops out-of-control vehicles from mounting the median.

Design Principles Summary

Design Principle	Difference from Traditional Design	Purpose
Dynamic Visibility	Traditional systems use static markings	Promote changeable, concealable, and highlightable elements to avoid habitual neglect
Step-by-Step Crossing Control	Traditional systems release the whole crossing at once	Ensure safety through verification at every step
Active Median Functionality	Traditional medians are inanimate objects	Equip with sensors, pop-up shields, light walls, and voice alerts
Real-Time Vehicle Suppression and Intervention	Traditionally enforced via fines and moral expectation	Support real-time interventions, including traffic flow interruption and road segment lockdown