Traficon's new pedestrian detection system launched in style. Kevin Borras, editor-in-chief of the magazine Thinking Highways, reports from Belgium.

Belgian traffic video detection specialists Traficon have a reputation for being innovative. Market-leading products (TrafiCam for example) coupled with memorably iconic advertising campaigns and one of the most recognisable faces in ITS in managing director and founder Jo Versavel have ensured that the company, now based in Wevelgem, has a profile for all the right reasons.

Inviting 36 VIPs to witness the launch of their new pedestrian presence sensor, SafeWalk, was a bold move as just over the half of the invitees were from outside Belgium, with 13 dignitaries (including Thinking Highways' editorial team) coming from the UK alone.

After numerous conversations over the last few years about 'urban aesthetics' it was refreshing to discover that SafeWalk is a good-looking thing. Shaped like a sleek black rugby ball, the product looks nothing like anything else you've ever seen on top of a pole by the side of a road. Traficon had the foresight to collaborate on the design with local agencies PiliPili and Vision++ and the move has certainly borne attractive fruit. As Traficon's sales director Lode Caenepeel said: "We didn't want this to look anything like a camera because it's not a camera. It's not taking pictures of offenders, it's making pedestrian crossings safer."

SafeWalk's all-in-one sensor integrates stereovision 3D technology and intelligent detection for pedestrian presence detection at the roadside. The objective of SafeWalk is to improve pedestrian operations and safety at traffic signals, by detecting waiting pedestrians and, at the same time, by managing and controlling traffic lights dynamically. The intelligent sensor reduces unnecessary delays to both pedestrians and motorists via an above-ground sensor  designed to view a detection zone adjacent to the pole on which it is mounted. Stationary pedestrians or those moving in the designated zone waiting to cross a roadway will generate a 'detect state' in urban conditions. SafeWalk can hold the red time for pedestrians until there is no pedestrian presence, making traffic flow more fluid and efficient.

Presentations over, the VIPs were bussed to a stand-up lunch in a nearby restaurant before being transported to Kortrijk Xpo, venue for the first Design At Work Trade Show, exemplifying the best of Belgian innovation. Traficon's SafeWalk booth nestled comfortably and subtly beside companies offering stylish caravans, bladeless fans and suitcases mounted on scooters (that were somehow not called Scootcases). We were then treated to a 45 minute speech from motivational speaker and business guru Jef Staes, who in the midst of a fair amount of obvious points, raised some very interesting issues about how to transition your company from two-dimensional to three-dimenstional. His answer, use a combination of passion and the internet. Staes generously donated some copies of his book for Traficon's prize draw and amazingly Thinking Highways won two copies, one of which was generously donated to the UK Department for Transport Traffic Management Division's Suku Phull.

More typically Belgian snacks were consumed, remarkably quaffable beer and wine flowed and SafeWalk was officially launched in a most appropriate setting. A beautifully designed pedestrian detector, brought to life at a design show. Neat, in every sense of the word.

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