RFID Lights Up The Blind Spot

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)