The Chinese city of Wuhan has revealed a new way to stop jaywalking: jaywalking turnstiles. When traffic is flowing the gates are locked. After cars come to a halt the gates open up. The turnstiles have been rolled out on a trial basis and were installed at several of the city's crosswalks. There are no authorities at the jaywalking turnstiles to enforce the law or write tickets.
That's because the gates are meant more as a reminder to not cross against the light as opposed to an actual barrier against the act. That being said there is a plan to install video cameras near the jaywalking turnstiles to encourage people to use them properly. Those who hop them or go around would have their photos placed on a billboard in an effort to shame them.
Safety-Enforcing Crosswalk Gates
China's Jaywalking Turnstiles Prevent Crossing Against the Light
Trend Themes
1. Jaywalking Deterrents - Opportunity to innovate new ways of deterring jaywalking behavior using technology.
2. Smart Crosswalks - The development of smart crosswalks that use real-time traffic data to improve pedestrian safety.
3. Public Shaming as a Deterrent - Opportunity to explore the effectiveness of public shaming as a method to discourage risky behavior.
Industry Implications
1. Smart Cities - Smart cities can implement technology-driven solutions to improve pedestrian safety.
2. Surveillance Technology - The use of video cameras as a tool for enforcing traffic safety laws.
3. Outdoor Advertising - Opportunity for outdoor advertising companies to provide digital billboards containing images of jaywalkers as a shaming tool.