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The TCS-Touring Club Switzerland, in its ongoing effort to find solutions aimed at improving the structure of pedestrian crossings, has proposed a signaling post designed to assist pedestrians intending to cross the road at pedestrian crossings without traffic lights.

The system aims to increase the safety of crossings that are in particular situations where all improvement measures are not sufficient to solve all the problems, such as plays of light and shadow or obstacles that partially block visibility. The peculiarity of this system is unequivocally based on the voluntary nature of the gesture that the pedestrian makes when they want to cross the road.

This act of pressing the button, which is already familiar to pedestrians at pedestrian crossings with a traffic light system to activate the "green" phase, draws attention to the act of crossing. At the same time, the light signal informs the approaching vehicle driver of the pedestrian's presence and actual intentions.

The system helps to reduce distraction, which is the primary cause of pedestrian accidents on crosswalks, and decreases misunderstandings between the driver and the pedestrian. The pedestrian, particularly the elderly and children, feels an increased sense of security while crossing.

The effectiveness of the signaling post increases in the evening and nighttime hours when lighting is lower or in areas with trees that create shadowed conditions, making it difficult to see pedestrians about to cross.

These positive factors have led the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) to support the project and give the green light for testing phases. The first testing phase will begin in a few days with the start of the school term.

The City Police and the TCS have decided to install prototypes that will allow the system to be tested and collect useful information for evaluation purposes.

To assess the effectiveness of this system, five crossings reflecting specific types have been selected:

• Via Clemente Maraini (Loreto schools): two traffic lanes with a traffic island, a large number of daily crossings.
   
• Viale Cattaneo and Via Lucchini: two traffic lanes with a traffic island, dim nighttime lighting, equipped with a fixed camera.
   
• Via Trevano near Denner: two traffic lanes and a traffic island, equipped with a fixed camera.
   
• Via Cassone (Pregassona): two lanes near the schools, with proximity to schools.