ACRI research into the potential for in-ground illuminated pads to attract the attention of pedestrians distracted by mobile devices or headphones is soon to move into its field testing stage with the assistance of KiwiRail.

Using eye-tracking technology in-ground lighting configurations have been tested by ACRI Researcher Dr Gregoire Laure in a laboratory setting.

The next step is to examine the potential of these designs at level crossings in New Zealand where they have been recently installed by KiwiRail, again using eye tracking technology.

The casualty reduction potential of new designs is of strong interest in New Zealand with the majority of recent railway crossing user fatalities there involving the use of headphones, mobile devices or a combination of the two.