Summary Report on Request for Information (RFI): Enhancing the Safety of Vulnerable Road Users at Intersections

Townsend, Haley; Gatiba, Adam; Thompson, Kathy; Wang, Peiwei; Wunderlich, Karl · 2023 · ROSA P / United States. Department of Transportation. Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office

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Summary

This report summarizes findings from a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to explore technologies for enhancing the safety of vulnerable road users (VRUs) at intersections. Motivated by rising traffic fatalities—specifically 1,674 pedestrian and 355 bicyclist deaths at intersections in 2020—and the National Roadway Safety Strategy, the DOT sought to identify feasible, cost-effective technological solutions. The RFI, open from September to November 2022, aimed to assess the readiness of emerging technologies such as machine vision, sensor fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, and real-time decision-making systems. These technologies are intended to augment, not replace, existing safety measures like geometric design changes and traffic calming policies. The methodology involved the systematic review of 221 responses received from a diverse range of stakeholders, including private citizens, vendors, academia, state departments of transportation, and advocacy groups. Of these, 70 responses were classified as technical, providing specific insights into the feasibility and application of proposed safety systems. The report categorizes these insights into four primary areas: general technical considerations, system installation and deployment, human factors and performance measurement, and development costs and timelines. Respondents addressed 27 specific questions regarding sensor types, connectivity modes, alerting methodologies, and interoperability standards. Key findings indicate that while developing an intersection safety system for VRUs is technically feasible, significant challenges remain before widespread implementation. Respondents identified cameras, radar, and LiDAR as the most common perception sensors, noting that existing infrastructure often requires recalibration to detect VRUs rather than just vehicles. Critical technical hurdles include the need for improved position accuracy, low-latency processing for real-time applications, and the development of interoperability standards. Edge computing and 5G were highlighted as promising solutions for reducing latency. Furthermore, respondents emphasized that warnings alone may not yield substantial safety benefits; control actions, such as automatic emergency braking or signal adjustments, are necessary for effective protection. Cost reduction and the sustainability of public-private partnership models were also identified as major barriers to scale. The significance of this report lies in its role as a foundational assessment for future DOT initiatives. It confirms that the building blocks for advanced intersection safety systems exist but highlights the need for further development in standards, equity considerations, and cost-effectiveness. The insights gathered will inform the DOT’s strategy for deploying real-time safety technologies nationwide, ensuring that technological advancements are integrated with broader policy and design interventions to achieve the goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries.

Key finding

Respondents generally concluded that developing an intersection safety system for vulnerable road users using existing and emerging technologies is feasible, though widespread implementation requires overcoming challenges related to latency, position accuracy, and cost.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 221

Provenance

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Topics

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• vru facing ehmi
• ehmi external hmi