Are laser traffic lights the way of the future?

Posted Thu Apr 24 2008 4:56 PM by Nelson Ireson

Weather conditions and poor lighting can often combine to make crosswalks and intersections difficult to spot, especially at night, but Hanyoung Lee may have the answer with his Virtual Wall concept. Using lasers to create a wall of light that illuminates crossing areas, the system is certainly highly visible - and highly futuristic.

Unfortunately, there is already talk of using the system to display ads called 'adlights' or 'traffic ads' to drivers stopped at red lights.

Still, the advantage to pedestrian safety would be great - there could be no excuse for missing such a large and vibrant display. The technology is still just in the conceptual stages, however, and no plans for production have yet been announced.

Via: Winding Road

Reader Comments

Thu Apr 24 2008 6:27 PM
Roy says

I have a modest amendment to make to this superlative proposal. Surely it would cheaper to mount laser-guided missiles at every street corner. Every car that jumps a red light will be destroyed! This would have the fortunate side effect of reducing the number of cars (and drivers) on our clogged, congested roads.
Seriously, how can this possibly be cheaper than LED traffic lights?
Thu Apr 24 2008 7:07 PM
Gus says

Funny.

I think it would be cool. Almost project a virtual wall across the line. Should stop some people...
Thu Apr 24 2008 9:13 PM
HECTOR says

The first use I'm OK with.

The second use will surely drive me crazy and will surely drive me NOT to buy any products displayed on such ads. Problem is since our elected local leaders are, for the most part, whores who will do anything for a buck, it will not be long before the *adlights* become a reality.
Fri Apr 25 2008 12:57 AM
bambam says

Its a cool idea but there is one problem i am concern about, if there is a wall of lights there can I
still see whats in front of me on the other side of the street, the condition or the length of the crossway. This is more off an alternative to billboards then traffic lights. I will stick with auto sat nav braking and speed limiting.
Fri Apr 25 2008 4:52 AM
Eljay says

There is another approach to avoid hitting pedestrians which I've used successfully for nineteen years.It's called "driving carefully"...
Fri Apr 25 2008 4:55 AM
eee says

I'm not entirely sure where the lasers are projected from, but isn't there a risk of causing blindness? Especially if the pedestrians cross parallel to the "laser" beams... hmmn
Fri Apr 25 2008 8:51 AM
donkebaza says

With a "wall" of light in front of you you won't see the carjacker coming either. Another truly daft idea!
Fri Apr 25 2008 9:34 AM
Raptor says

How does this work? You have to project light ON something. It can't float in midair...

This could be done in foggy weather, but otherwise.. I just don't understand how.
Fri Apr 25 2008 10:28 AM
chris says

raptor; you've got it... the article talks about bad weather conditions.. heavy rain, fog, snow... think of all those times that you're driving at night and you cant see anything cause your head lights are lighting up the heavy rain thats 10 m ahead of you and not the road thats 100 m ahead of you.

the lasers are coming out of those two thin posts in the picture. the lasers would be aimed directly at each other.. and not off at angles to hit pedestrians... and certainly wouldnt affect drivers because you're looking in a direction 90 degrees away from the laser source. even then.. despite what you may think.. if you get hit by a glancing laser, nothing's going to happen. if you stare into one... well you can say buby to your retina.
Fri Apr 25 2008 11:38 AM
Alan says

it's an interesting idea and i'm all for it, provided the second use does not happen. I think having ads displayed during red light would either be an annoyance or distraction to drivers
Fri Apr 25 2008 12:29 PM
Paul says

Well, if there is money to be made in it...and now the red light cameras are laser guided.
Fri Apr 25 2008 12:50 PM
Gus says

What's fog, rain and snow? :)
Fri Apr 25 2008 2:03 PM
chris says

damn you gus.... ok fine... how about "wild fire smoke"... oooooooooooooooooooo. yeah i went there.
Fri Apr 25 2008 5:11 PM
Raptor says

>>Whatâ€™s fog, rain and snow?

Nice one :)

Oh well, I should be glad I don't live in England.
Fri Apr 25 2008 5:17 PM
nuttz says

Is it just me who thinks it would be cool to drive directly through it and see what happens?

how would that help the purpose though....
Wed Jan 14 2009 5:34 AM
panosc says

Why not built a receiver into every car that would receive situations such as approaching a STOP sign, a yellow or red traffic light, a railway intersection, a school crossing, a traffic condition ahead or you name it and warn the driver of the upcoming situation inside the car? A stop sign or a pedestrian crossing will just transmit a "I am here!" monotonous broadcast while other traffic "devices" will continuously transmit their current condition such as a traffic light etc.
In the future the on board system could also apply brakes if necessary or even engage an automated driver system to avoid an accident...

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