New System Will Turn the Light Green as You Approach the Crosswalk | Here's What It Looks Like

The Haifa Municipality has completed a two-year pilot of a technological system that detects pedestrians and activates a green light for them without pressing a button. The system includes cancellation and extension sensors and will be expanded to additional intersections in the city after approval from the Ministry of Transportation. The pilot was conducted at 7 Oskar Schindler Street, and following its success, the use will be expanded.

The Haifa Municipality has completed a two-year pilot of an innovative technological system that automatically detects pedestrians and activates the green light for them, even without pressing the crossing button. The system, developed by 'Shikun & Binui Solel Boneh - Menora Systems', is based on advanced cameras for video analysis. When a pedestrian approaching the curb is detected, it sends an immediate command to the traffic light controller and switches it to green within seconds. In addition, the system is equipped with two smart sensors: a cancellation sensor, which detects if the pedestrian has left the area or crossed on red and cancels the green request; and an extension sensor, which tracks those crossing and automatically extends the duration of the green light for the elderly, people with disabilities, or anyone crossing slowly. The pilot was installed at 7 Oskar Schindler Street, at a signalized crosswalk with a traffic island, and was tested at various times of day and under diverse traffic conditions. Following the success of the pilot and approval from the Ministry of Transportation's experiments committee, the municipality will expand the use of the system to additional intersections in the city. According to data from the 'Or Yarok' association, in 2025 Haifa topped the list of Israeli cities in the number of pedestrians injured at crosswalks, with 104 casualties, one killed and 11 seriously injured. Mayor Yona Yahav said the system is an excellent example of how technology can save lives.