Though there are many reasons for crashes involving pedestrians (cellphones, alcohol, excessive speed), numerous studies have found that inadequate lighting at or near crosswalks presents a heightened risk to pedestrians crossing the road. The nighttime fatal crash rate on unlit roads is almost twice as high as in well-lit areas, with nighttime crashes accounting for more than 90% of the total increase in pedestrian deaths in the past decade.
Streetlights aren’t enough
Even though many streets and roadways with mid-block crosswalks have streetlights, they are typically mounted high above the surface of the road and spaced far 100 ft. or more apart. They are designed to serve the needs of motorists in navigating and avoiding obstacles—not to illuminate a pedestrian or light an entire crosswalk area.
To do that, you need to provide enough concentrated, quality light that a driver can discern an incoming pedestrian at a sufficient distance for them to safely and appropriately react. In other words, you need a high-intensity, purpose-built pedestrian-level light that that maximizes the contrast and illuminance of pedestrians on or near the crosswalk. And that’s exactly what Carmanah’s crosswalk overhead lighting systems provide.
Bright, directional, uniform light, without the glare
Unlike other lights that prioritize brightness at all costs, Carmanah’s fixtures offer consistent light uniformity spanning the entire crosswalk area. This makes for better visibility, while reducing eye strain and “flicker” for both drivers and pedestrians.