Why is SafeZone so flexible?
SafeZone lights are activated and monitored by an array of roadside (radio/wireless) repeaters that can be externally powered, or powered via solar cells. However, in the event of a roadside controller failure, the in-road lights have in-built 'smarts' that allow an array to remain active: for example, a school zone array will still turn itself on and off , because of the on-board computers know what days and at what times the lights should be on, even if the lights fail to see an activation command from the roadside system.
SafeZone was initially developed by Sydney-based electronics design and manufacturing firm PNE Electronics (a division of Inventis Technology Pty Ltd) as a more effective active school zone indicator, because of concerns expressed by many drivers that road-side, or over-road, flashing signs were not always visible due to obstructions such as trees or other vehicles, or weather conditions such as rain or fog. It's performance advantages include:
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the use of long-life storage batteries, not solar cells, that allow the system to be used in a wider range of applications |
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in-built 'smarts' that ensure 'fail active' operation in areas such as school zones |
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the use of high-lumen output LEDs in each SafeZone in-road light that make the lights more easily noticed, and from a greater distance |
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the fact that external power outages won't disrupt an installed system |
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Following trials in a number of school zones in metropolitan Sydney in 2007, as part of a NSW RTA evaluation program, SafeZone is being further developed in partnership with a leading Sydney-based road traffic management company called Traffic Tech, for applications such as:
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