New Products

IVS

Seeing pedestrian crossings in a new light.

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At a time when almost one in four of Europe’s 8,000 pedestrian fatalities occur on supposedly “safe” crossings, Thorn has developed the IVS - identification, visibility and safety – lighting system, comprising of a dedicated lantern and LED signalling accessory. The lantern’s precision optic has an asymmetric distribution, spreading light from the direction of the approaching traffic over the marked crossing and surrounding area without leaving areas of shadow. Vertical illuminance, too, is very generous – highlighting pedestrians on and around the crossing. The precision lens minimises glare to motorists and with six existing designs to choose from the lantern style can be matched to the overall lighting scheme. IVS takes metal halide for superior colour rendition.

Due to the more controlled beam area lighting loads and obtrusive (wasted) light can be reduced compared to conventional luminaires. For instance a 150W or 250W IVF lantern can replace a 250W or 400W fitting respectively.

A rapid flashing warning light completes the IVS system. Mounted on the lantern column, the knuckle shaped unit comprises two circular amber LEDs aligned horizontally, one on each side. The lights flash at a pre-determined rate to achieve optimum driver recognition and operate separately from the lantern, being visible during the day as well as night time hours.

In this way, IVS takes pedestrian crossing lighting up a notch and makes a significant contribution to improving pedestrian safety.

Editors note
The accepted dogma concerning the driver’s visual tasks when approaching a crossing is that a pedestrian is revealed by silhouette vision, the assumption being that the lighted road surface allows a person to be seen in negative contrast as a “shadow”. In practice car headlights provide competing positive contrast, which can at the point of transition (zero contrast) make a person appear almost invisible. The use of local IVS lighting provides more positive contrast illumination, thus alerting oncoming drivers.