RFID Lights Up The Blind Spot
by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 12.16.07
Now that the Green RFID guy has stopped posting, it's up to us to give good examples of RFID technology in the sustainability realm. The Danish city of Grenå will pay to install battery-driven RFIDs (battery life is supposed to be about 6 years) in the steering columns of 300 residents' bikes, and put receivers at seven intersections considered to be the most dangerous. When a cyclist approaches, the RFID sends a signal to the traffic light which turns on a flashing 'cyclist' sign at eye height to warn drivers, especially drivers of big rigs, that they should check for bikes before making a right-hand turn.
The move is part of the Danish government making good on its promise to have cyclists both feel and actually be safer. The system, called "See Mi" was designed by Danish company Idzone. At the same time, by early next year the Copenhagen city government is installing light diodes and sensors at dangerous intersections - the diodes start blinking beside and ahead of drivers when a cyclist passes the sensors. It's considered cost-effective to keep cyclists safe, as each serious accident or cyclist death costs the state as much as 1.7 million Danish crowns (US$300,000). Installation of the diodes and sensor at an intersection costs about 200,000 crowns (US$38,000). Via ::Ecoprofile (in Swedish)
This would be amazing!!! I will be anxiously awaiting the outcome of this pilot. My one accident on a bicycle was caused by this exact problem.
Of course, another possible solution is for drivers to USER THEIR BLINKER .... but that may be asking too much.
What a horrible idea!
What happens if somebody just parks his bike withing range to (say) go into a coffee shop? That warning light will be flashing all the time.
Better that folks have personal responsibility (both bike riders and car drivers) to know who's around them.
I know in th US, people would become blind to the signal after awhile. Just as they do walk signals, and "No turn on red" signs. But it is definitely as step (or pedal) in the right direction. I think a lot of people are not aware that they might be sharing the road with cyclists (or anybody). Rasing that awareness is good. It keeps us on track to treating cyclists with the same attention as other motorists.
a great idea always moving in a great direction! Someday maybe there will be more bikes, or electric cars, and less gas mobiles! ;)
[...]Un possibile suggerimento per migliorare la sicurezza dei velocipedi arriva dalla città danese di Grenå dove ai semafori posizionati in 7 pericolosi incroci [...]