The City of Oulu, Finland, in collaboration with Signify, initiated a pilot project to enhance traffic safety by adjusting street lighting automatically when emergency vehicles approach intersections in the Saaristokatu area during hours of darkness.
Saaristokatu, a heavily trafficked area in Oulu, has experienced accidents involving vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. To address safety concerns, Oulu sought to improve the visibility of emergency vehicles and enhance overall traffic safety by integrating Signify’s connected lighting system, Interact, with HALI, a priority traffic lighting system for emergency vehicles.
Oulu implemented Signify’s latest lighting technology, leveraging multi-sensor capabilities to swiftly adjust lighting brightness as needed. When an emergency vehicle approaches a traffic light intersection, the HALI system communicates with the traffic light control unit to grant the vehicle a green light. Simultaneously, Signify’s system receives commands to adjust lighting brightness in the intersection. Once the emergency vehicle passes, lighting returns to normal after a short period.
Besides improving visibility for emergency vehicles, the integration of Interact lighting and multi-sensor also optimizes lighting level according to traffic conditions. By means of motion-detection, the lighting level can be adjusted automatically to improve comfort and reduce the risk of an accident when there are vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians passing by or dimmed down to reduce energy consumption and light pollution when there’s no traffic on the streets. Data collected through Interact can also be used for dynamic urban planning, further improving resident comfort, safety, and health.
The HALI system, introduced in Oulu in 2010, significantly reduced traffic accidents involving emergency vehicles. Currently, over 800 traffic light intersections and 400 emergency vehicles are covered by HALI, with no accidents reported in active areas since its implementation. HALI’s satellite-based positioning and mobile data network enable real-time traffic light control, improving response times and serviceability of rescue operations.
The integration of Interact connected lighting system with the HALI system, showcases a pioneering approach to enhancing traffic safety and efficiency. By leveraging innovative technologies and data-driven solutions, cities can mitigate accidents, improve emergency response, and create safer environments for residents and commuters.
