Perm Deploys Smart Traffic Lights That Detect Pedestrians Automatically
The new traffic signals are equipped with motion sensors that trigger a green light without the push of a button.
Authorities in Perm are rolling out smart traffic lights fitted with sensors that respond to pedestrian movement. The system detects people approaching a crosswalk and automatically switches the signal to green, allowing them to cross without pressing a button, the regional Ministry of Transport said.
Intelligent traffic lights have so far been installed at four pedestrian crossings that previously had no signal control. When sensors detect a person within the crossing zone, they transmit data to a controller, which activates the green light. The push-button function remains operational.
Drivers Begin Slowing Down Earlier
In 2025, the region also installed 19 interactive pedestrian crossings along highways, equipped with autonomous solar-powered modules and battery storage. When a pedestrian presses a button on the signal pole, a crossing sign begins flashing and additional lighting turns on. Drivers can see the illumination from a distance, recognize that someone is about to cross, and reduce speed accordingly.
Earlier reports noted that St. Petersburg had begun a large-scale rollout of smart traffic lights featuring adaptive audio alerts. These systems analyze street noise levels in real time and automatically adjust the volume of pedestrian signals.
