AGD Systems has helped install a UK-first for accessible pedestrian crossing designs on the grounds of New College Worcester (NCW), a national residential school for blind and vision-impaired young people.
The crossing utilises AGD's advanced pedestrian detection solutions, as well as its nearside signal and demand unit – including both Cone A and Cone B tactiles – to provide a reliable system that is tailored to the needs of blind and visually impaired users.
Believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, the design is expected to enable students to interact confidently with crossing infrastructure in a manner that simulates real-world conditions while maintaining a safe and controlled environment. This will help the students to develop ‘essential mobility skills' in a ‘realistic yet supportive' setting, AGD said.
The company added that its detection solutions are designed to identify pedestrians waiting at crossings, as well as their movements, to help ‘optimise crossing timings' so that anyone using them has enough time to cross safely.
Rachel Perks, principal of NCW, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted with the crossing and incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the project.
'It will have a huge impact on our students and provide a unique training facility that we believe is the only one of its kind in the UK. It also allows other organisations and individuals to benefit from the facility by visiting our campus to practise their skills.'
