Bridging the Safety Gap: Protecting the Most Vulnerable on the Roads
Sweden’s pursuit of Vision Zero—a future with zero traffic fatalities and severe injuries—has already delivered measurable results. In 2024, road deaths dropped to 210, signaling progress. Yet, a stark contrast remains: the decline was largely among those shielded by vehicles—drivers and passengers in cars, trucks, and buses. Meanwhile, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists saw little to no improvement in safety. Their vulnerability persists, their risks unchanged.
Addressing this challenge requires more than conventional traffic measures. It demands intelligent, interconnected infrastructure that actively prevents accidents rather than just mitigating their effects. The solution must go beyond isolated interventions—it must create a system where roads themselves can warn, adapt, and protect.
The Breakthrough: A Connected Ecosystem for Real-Time Road Safety
Enter "Safer Crossways"—a project designed to redefine how traffic infrastructure and vehicles communicate. At its core is a non-proprietary, protocol-agnostic Road Side Unit (RSU) architecture. This system enables seamless, real-time interaction between traffic lights, road signs, and vehicles, forming a dynamic, predictive safety network.
Imagine this: A vehicle approaches an intersection. Sensors detect a pedestrian about to cross. The system instantly transmits a warning—to the driver, to nearby vehicles, even to the pedestrian’s mobile device. Potential danger is identified before it escalates. This is the power of IoT-driven road safety.
Sigma Technology Embedded Network leads the charge, harnessing expertise in digitalization, IoT, and embedded systems to develop secure, scalable, and cost-effective RSU solutions. Built on open standards, these systems ensure interoperability—a crucial factor in long-term adoption and smart city evolution.
But innovation thrives through collaboration. The "Safer Crossways" initiative unites diverse stakeholders:
- MittLogik Solutions – Experts in wireless technology and automotive innovation.
- RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden) – A key national research partner in sustainable development.
- Public Sector Stakeholders – Municipalities across Skåne, alongside initiatives such as OpenTech and Future By Lund.
As part of Fordonsstrategisk forskning och innovation (FFI), this initiative aligns with Vinnova’s mission—driving cutting-edge vehicle transport innovations to build a sustainable, future-proof society.
Transforming Cities: The Road to Smarter, Safer Urban Mobility
By integrating real-time data, predictive analytics, and IoT-driven automation, "Safer Crossways" does more than improve road safety—it reshapes urban mobility. Traffic flows more efficiently. Drivers are better informed. Pedestrians are actively protected.
With Sweden already a pioneer in sustainable transport solutions, this project cements its position at the forefront of global smart city development. Every interconnected device, every data-driven decision, every prevented accident—each one brings cities closer to a future where roads don’t just carry traffic, but actively safeguard those who use them.
Sigma Technology Embedded Network and its partners are not just building technology—they are engineering a new era of intelligent urban safety. The future of road infrastructure is not just connected; it’s predictive, proactive, and life-saving.