❌ “We don’t know when pedestrians are at the crossing”
Without an automatic pedestrian detection system, crosswalks rely solely on driver attention, increasing risk at locations with high interaction between pedestrians and vehicles.
Intelligent Pedestrian
Detection at Crosswalks
Road safety with FMCW radar for municipalities and urban environments
Improve pedestrian safety at critical locations with real-time data and detection. The radar sensor detects presence and movement to activate signage or warning lights, works reliably in rain, fog, and low-visibility conditions, and can be installed quickly without civil works. It reduces risk, strengthens prevention, and helps justify investments in road safety with objective metrics.
Radar
Intelligent Detection Without Cameras
<1h
Rapid Deployment at Crosswalks
Night
Reliable Day and Night, Even in Low Visibility
Alert
Automatic Activation of Signage and Driver Warnings
The Problem
Why do you need an intelligent pedestrian detection system at crosswalks?
Without advanced radar-based pedestrian detection, many crossings remain critical risk points. This type of intelligent road safety helps reduce accidents, strengthen prevention, and justify investments based on technical criteria. A modern solution should also be camera-free, privacy-friendly, and easy to deploy for municipalities and urban mobility managers.
❌ Passive signage with no real-time response
Traditional signage does not respond to pedestrian presence. With intelligent detection at crosswalks, you can activate dynamic alerts (lights, panels, or traffic signals) to improve crossing visibility and reduce incidents.
❌ Dangerous crossings with limited visibility
In urban environments with parked cars, curves, or street furniture, drivers do not always see pedestrians in time. A radar sensor for crosswalks helps anticipate presence and movement, enabling earlier action.
❌ Privacy concerns with camera-based systems
Video-based solutions can raise public concerns and create compliance challenges. Camera-free pedestrian detection improves road safety without capturing images or personal data.
❌ Costly installations requiring civil works
Many solutions require trenches, complex wiring, or traffic disruptions. A radar-based road safety system can be installed on existing poles or traffic lights, minimizing time and disruption.
❌ Failures in rain, fog, or low-visibility conditions
Some technologies lose effectiveness in bad weather or at night. An intelligent radar-based detection system operates reliably 24/7, even in rain, fog, or low-visibility conditions.
The solution
Smart Radar Pedestrian Detection for Safer Crosswalks
The uRAD Smart Radar Sensor is an advanced solution for 60 GHz FMCW radar-based pedestrian detection that identifies presence and movement at crosswalks to activate signage and improve urban road safety, even in rain, fog, or low-visibility conditions.
Smart road safety with no civil works and no cameras
Unlike camera-based or intrusive sensing systems, this intelligent detection system for crosswalks can be installed on existing poles, streetlights, or traffic signals in under 60 minutes, without the need for civil works and while fully respecting citizen privacy.
- Real-time automatic pedestrian detection
- Activation of warning lights and driver alert systems
- 24/7 operation, even in rain, fog, or at night
- Camera-free technology that ensures privacy and regulatory compliance
- Fast installation on existing infrastructure (poles or traffic signals)
- Integration with urban traffic systems via WiFi, RS-485, or 4G
The integrated processor analyzes radar signals in real time and enables integration with municipal traffic management and road safety platforms, supporting data-driven decisions and delivering measurable improvements in pedestrian protection.
60 GHz
Radar FMCW
Comparative
Radar vs. Other Detection Systems for Crosswalks
Why are more and more municipalities choosing radar-based pedestrian detection over cameras or traditional road safety solutions?
| Feature | uRAD FMCW Radar | Cameras (Vision) | Optical / IR sensors | Inductive loops / Push buttons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | <1 hour, no civil works required | Hours, wiring/calibration required | Hours, alignment required | Days, civil works required |
| Privacy (no images captured) | Yes, camera-free | Records video | Depends on the system | Yes |
| Works in rain / fog | Yes, 24/7 | Performance may degrade | Interference issues | Yes |
| Works at night | Yes, without light | Requires IR/light | Limited | Yes |
| Real-time detection | Instant | Yes | May vary by conditions | Depends on the system |
| Maintenance | Near zero | Cleaning / adjustments | Cleaning / recalibration | High (breakdowns) |
| Service Life | 10+ years | 5–7 years | 3–5 years | 3–5 years |
| Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) | Lower | Medium–high | Medium | High (civil works). |
uRAD FMCW Radar
★ RecomendadoInstallation <1h
Privacy Sin cámaras
Clima 24/7
Night Yes
Maintenance Near zero
Service Life 10+ years
Cameras (Vision)
InstallationHoras
Privacy Vídeo
ClimaDegrada
NightIR/Luz
MaintenanceLimpieza
Service Life5–7 years
Optical / IR sensors
InstallationHoras
PrivacyDepende
Clima Interfiere
NightLimited
MaintenanceRecalibrar
Service Life3–5 years
Inductive loops / Push buttons
Installation Días
Privacy Yes
Clima Yes
Night Yes
Maintenance Alto
Service Life3–5 years
Advantages
Why Choose Intelligent Radar-Based Detection for Crosswalks
Works in Rain, Fog, and Low-Visibility Conditions
FMCW radar-based pedestrian detection does not depend on lighting conditions or image quality. Heavy rain, dense fog, or complete darkness—the system continues detecting and activating signage without interruption.
Rapid Installation in Under 1 Hour, No Civil Works Needed
Installed on existing poles, streetlights, or traffic signals. No trenches, no lane closures, and no civil works required. Ideal for deploying intelligent road safety at crosswalks with minimal impact on public spaces.
Privacy Guaranteed — No Cameras
Unlike video surveillance, radar does not capture images or personal data. A camera-free intelligent detection solution for crosswalks reduces public concern and simplifies regulatory compliance.
Activation of Signage and Driver Warning Systems
The system detects presence and movement to activate beacons, illuminated panels, or traffic signals. It improves crossing visibility and strengthens prevention at high-risk crosswalks.
IoT Connectivity for Seamless ITS Integration
RS-485, UART, and GPIO for integration with ITS systems and signal controllers. Built-in WiFi for remote configuration, with an optional 4G module to send events and metrics to the cloud.
Minimal Maintenance, Long Lifespan
No moving parts or wear components. IP66-rated housing resistant to vandalism and harsh conditions. Lower total cost of ownership (TCO) for municipal road safety projects, with a service life of over 10 years.
Operation
How Intelligent Pedestrian Detection Works at Crosswalks
-
FMCW Radar Signal Transmission
The sensor emits radar waves in the 60–64 GHz band that fully cover the crosswalk area. Its field of view enables detection of pedestrian presence and movement even in rain, fog, or low-visibility conditions.
-
Real-Time Intelligent Processing
The integrated processor analyzes the radar signal in milliseconds to identify moving objects, calculate distance, and detect patterns consistent with pedestrians, enabling reliable automatic detection.
-
Presence Detection and Signage Activation
When a pedestrian approaching or crossing is detected, the system can automatically activate beacons, LED panels, or traffic signals via GPIO outputs, enhancing crosswalk visibility and improving road safety.
-
Communication and Integration with Urban Traffic Systems
The system transmits events and data via RS-485, UART, WiFi, or 4G. This enables the integration of intelligent detection for crosswalks with ITS platforms, traffic control centers, and municipal management systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Frequently Asked Questions about Intelligent Detection for Crosswalks
What is an intelligent pedestrian detection system for crosswalks?
It is a radar-based road safety solution that automatically detects pedestrian presence and movement at crosswalks.
It enables real-time activation of beacons, illuminated panels, or traffic signals to improve crossing visibility and reduce the risk of accidents.
How does a radar system for crosswalks differ from video cameras?
Unlike cameras, radar does not record images or personal data, ensuring citizen privacy.
It also performs better in rain, fog, and at night—conditions where computer vision systems lose reliability.
Does it really work in rain, fog, or low-visibility conditions?
Yes. 60 GHz FMCW radar technology does not depend on light or visual quality.
The system operates reliably 24/7, even in heavy rain, fog, complete darkness, or adverse conditions.
Can it be installed without civil works?
Yes. The system can be installed on existing poles, streetlights, or traffic signals in under one hour.
It requires no trenches, no road closures, and no civil works, reducing costs and enabling easy deployment in urban environments.
What type of signage can it activate?
Through its GPIO outputs and standard connectivity, it can automatically activate:
LED beacons, illuminated panels, smart signage, traffic signals, or driver warning systems when pedestrians are detected crossing.
What maintenance does a radar-based pedestrian detection system require?
Maintenance is minimal. There are no lenses to clean and no cameras to recalibrate.
The IP66-rated housing protects against dust, rain, and vandalism, with a service life of over 10 years.
Can it be integrated with existing traffic platforms or municipal systems?
Yes. It provides connectivity via RS-485, UART, GPIO, WiFi, and optional 4G, enabling integration with ITS systems,
traffic control centers, smart city platforms, and municipal software.
What is the cost to deploy an intelligent pedestrian detection system at a crosswalk?
The cost depends on the configuration (solar power, connectivity, integration with signage).
However, because it does not require civil works or complex wiring, the total cost is typically significantly lower than traditional solutions based on cameras or buried infrastructure.
Looking to implement an intelligent detection system for crosswalks?
We design the complete intelligent road safety solution for your municipality: selection of priority crossings, technical design, professional installation in under one hour, system configuration, and commissioning. 60 GHz FMCW radar-based pedestrian detection, camera-free (privacy guaranteed), with reliable 24/7 operation in rain, fog, or low-visibility conditions.
- Identification of critical crossings
- Installation in under 1 hour (no civil works required)
- Activation of signage / beacons
- Ongoing technical support and on-site optimization