Device that causes distraction could also help avoid injury or even death
StreetBit is a University of Alabama at Birmingham-developed smartphone-based application that utilizes Bluetooth to provide road safety alerts to distracted pedestrians.
Imagine using a device that is causing distraction for pedestrians to actually help avoid that very distraction.
Well, that’s exactly what a device called StreetBit is apparently successful in doing, according to a new study co-authored by five University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) researchers shows. That study shows the potential cost savings from the use of StreetBit, a UAB-developed smartphone-based application that utilizes Bluetooth to provide road safety alerts to distracted pedestrians.
StreetBit works by sending auditory and visual warnings to a distracted pedestrian’s smartphone as they approach a street corner where Bluetooth beacons are installed. By analyzing pedestrian injury rates, expected costs per injury, and prevalence of distracted walking, the study team estimated that StreetBit could potentially save between $18 to $29 million annually in Alabama alone. Even under the most conservative scenario, StreetBit could yield an estimated net annual benefit of $11.8 million for the state.
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