SMART ZEBRA CROSSING SYSTEM

MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE

PROGRAMME : COMPUTER SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

SUPERVISOR : MRS N.SARAI

LEVEL : 2.1

PROJECT TOPIC : SMART ZEBRA CROSSING SYSTEM

TYPE OF PROJECT : NON-ORGANIZATIONAL HARDWARE

CHAPTER : CHAPTER ONE

NAME : REG NUMBER

MITCHEL JULY : R204641X
PAKANAKAISHE MATSHEZA : R229166N

SMART ZEBRA CROSSING SYSTEM

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1.1 INTRODUCTION

My research focuses on an open-source hardware and software that is the Arduino-based

Smart Zebra Crossing System, which intends to prioritize pedestrians and vehicles in order to
reduce vehicle-pedestrian collisions on Zimbabwean roads. Zebra crossings are white lines
that allow pedestrians to safely cross roads and are commonly found in Zimbabwe's towns
and residential areas.

The researcher plans to create a Smart Zebra Crossing System that uses a PIR sensor and a
pushbutton to activate a red and amber light to alert motorists to halt and allow pedestrians
the right of way. The system will be an open-source hardware and software prototype, with
traffic lights controlled by a PIR sensor and a push button. When the sensor identifies the a
pedestrian in the detection zone, it sends a red signal to vehicular traffic and a green signal to
pedestrians. Before the red light enters traffic, the amber signal goes first and blinks three
times.

The pedestrian light system activates a twelve-second countdown and the red signal
illuminates, giving motorists the right of way. When a pedestrian is spotted by the PIR
sensor, the system loops. When the PIR sensor fails to detect a pedestrian, the Smart Zebra
Crossing System uses a buzzer and a pushbutton to activate the system. The buzzer emits
twelve beeps in time with the pedestrian green signal's twelve-second countdown. This
buzzer sounds when pedestrians are given the right of way.

The system includes a surveillance camera to monitor the pedestrian crossing point. The
cameras at each neighbouring pedestrian crossing are monitored and operated by the police.

1.2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Travelling by foot is commonly utilized in Zimbabwe, although due to its benefits over
motorized travel, it is subject to vehicle-pedestrian collisions. Currently, car drivers disregard
zebra crossings, putting pedestrians at danger. Furthermore, most Zimbabwean Zebra
Crossings have faded and are no longer visible, causing most traffic drivers to overrun the
marks, placing pedestrians in risk.

The pedestrian safety concern in Zimbabwe resulted in the installation of road humps, which
are efficient in regulating vehicle pedestrians but fall short in residential areas where the
majority of pedestrians are schoolchildren and the disabled. Attempts have been made to
prevent pedestrian-to-vehicle smashes, but no positive adjustments have been made. The
automation of zebra crossings, on the other hand, would serve to improve the life and safety
of Zimbabwean pedestrians, restoring their confidence and pride.

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1.3 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Currently, the Zimbabwean zebra crossing system now consists of solely white transverse
markings with no engineering designs, upgrades, or auxiliary traffic control. The main
disadvantage of the existing zebra crossings is the importance of drivers who rarely cede
right-of-way to pedestrians. The majority of motorists blame pedestrians for using zebra
crossings, whereas pedestrians blame motorists for marginalizing pedestrians.

This is causing a continuing crisis of pedestrians being hit by vehicles at zebra crossings,
especially during peak hours when vehicular traffic and pedestrian flow are both higher.
Currently, automotive traffic is prioritized above pedestrian traffic, making the three
pedestrians vulnerable, despite the fact that they are valid users of the transportation system
and require safe zebra crossing facilities.

The Zimbabwean zebra crossings are death traps for pedestrians. The majority of reported
occurrences of pedestrians being hit by an unidentified vehicle or motorist include a
pedestrian attempting or already crossing the roadway. The invaders are frequently
unidentified since they flee as soon as they hit a pedestrian. Those injured victims generally
receive late assistance because it may take some time before anyone notices them, resulting
in deaths.

The majority of Zimbabwean pedestrians favour or prefer crossings at controlled traffic

intersections, despite the fact that the junctions are not designed for pedestrians to utilize
when crossing the roadways. This is because pedestrians lack trust in using authorized
pedestrian crossing facilities since they lack technological equipment that can help manage
motor traffic. This practice of employing controlled traffic junctions as crossing points is
causing significant traffic congestion in town.

1.4 AIM
My research focuses on the effectiveness of Zimbabwe's Smart Zebra Crossing System. This
is an autonomous digital control system for pedestrian crossings that employs a passive
infrared sensor to detect individuals in the detection zone, whether stationary or moving. At
the automated zebra crossing, this system manages both vehicular and pedestrian traffic
signals. Road order will be maintained as the technology eliminates jaywalking along streets
and improves pedestrian safety. The Smart Zebra Crossing System is an autonomous digital
control system that regulates vehicle and pedestrian traffic signals, reducing loitering and
boosting pedestrian safety.

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1.5 OBJECTIVES
 The technology identifies and signals pedestrians crossing the street, sending a red
signal to vehicular traffic to allow them to proceed.

 The technology includes a buzzer that alerts blind pedestrians if the system detects
their presence.

 If sensors fail to detect a pedestrian or are wrongly triggered, the system contains an
override button that can be hit.

 The system includes a camera for monitoring and reporting on law-breaking motorists
and is monitored at the nearest police stations.

 Automotive and pedestrian traffic are permitted equal access to the road, while
automotive traffic always has the right of way.

 This research aims to ensure a smooth flow of traffic at zebra crossings and hold
individuals who have vandalized them accountable.

1.6 INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS

 Arduino-Uno
The Arduino-Uno is a microcontroller board with fourteen input/output pins based on
the ATmega328P datasheet and a Universal Serial Bus cable. The device accepts
various programming languages such as C#, C, and C++.

 Arduino-based camera
The camera is a small component that is commonly found in Arduino-based
prototypes.

 PIR sensor
Motion sensors are applied in contemporary alarm systems to detect and monitor
movement.

 Pushbutton
The component is a small four-legged button which can be used in designs as an extra
button module and is affordable in microchip shops.

 LED
LEDs are small electronic devices which can be incorporated into prototyping
projects like lighting sources.

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 Buzzer
The device connects to the Arduino circuit board through an external connector to
control sound devices.

1.7 DELIMITATIONS AND LIMITATIONS OF THE PROJECT

Limitations
 To detect motion, the PIR sensor monitors for modifications in temperature, but if a
pedestrian is gradually moving, it may not detect them.
 The push button is vulnerable to abuse and vandalism by children.
 Smart zebra crossing systems must be installed near each other to reduce traffic
during peak hours.
 Because the camera module utilized is not particularly sturdy, the system requires
extensive servicing and maintenance to function properly.

Delimitations
 The PlR sensors are responsive to a wide range of angles and distances.
 The sensor is compact, lightweight, and simple to install.

1.8 FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS

 The budget needed to develop the system is $190.00 USD.

Table 1.1
Items Quantity Description of Hardware Item Price Item Total
Components
1 Arduino Uno $35.00 $35.00

1 Arduino based camera $40.00 $40.00

2 PIR sensor $20.00 $40.00

1 Pushbutton $15.00 $15.00

2 LED $15.00 $30.00

2 Buzzer $15.00 $30.00
Total $190.00

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1.9 JUSTIFICATION AND RATIONALE

Zebra crossings are the most common type of pedestrian crossing in Zimbabwe, but they are
hardly adequate because most motorists disregard them. Again, there is no automation at
these zebra crossings; rather, the pavement is a faded white transverse line across the street.
When there are constant vehicle flows, the crossings are not time-sensitive and put
pedestrians at a disadvantage. Therefore a system that allows for some time for pedestrian
traffic while not necessarily causing problems for vehicular traffic is therefore necessary.

This system is expected to recognize the presence of people or a pedestrian waiting to cross
the zebra crossing and it calculates the amount of time it gives for both pedestrians and
vehicles to cross, thus giving each other way. Countdown timers should also be used for
motorists and pedestrians. These timers inform them of the amount of time remaining before
they are given right of way, thereby reducing road accidents.

1.10 WORK PLAN

For the project to be successfully done on time, sufficient scheduling is required to complete
the job in the shortest period of time.

Table 1.2
Activity Begin End Duration (weeks)
Project proposal 18/02/2023 17/03/2023 3
Planning Process 18/03/2023 17/04/2023 3
Analysis process 18/04/2023 23/05/2023 5
Design Process 24/05/2023 19/07/2023 8
Coding 20/07/2023 16/10/2023 8
Testing 17/10/2023 07/11/2023 3

Table 1.3 Gant Chart

Activity Week Week Week Week Week Week Week Week Week Week
1-3 4-6 7-9 10-12 13-15 16-18 19-21 22-24 25-27 28-30
Proposal
for the
project
Planning
Analysis
Design
Coding
Testing

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1.11 CONCLUSION

The proposed Smart Zebra Crossing System will address the issues that have plagued
pedestrians in Zimbabwe. The primary goal of the project is to build a Smart Zebra Crossing
System that would enhance the current pedestrian crossing infrastructure. This project shows
whether conducting the research is useful or not by weighing the benefits and drawbacks of
performing it in addition to the consumers' demand for a new system. To decide whether
completing the research is worthwhile, this project analyses the costs and advantages of
several possibilities.

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