Iteris Partners with Sumitomo Electric to Enhance Pedestrian Safety in the U.S.

In a significant move to address the rising pedestrian fatalities in the United States, Iteris Inc. (NASDAQ: ITI) has announced an exclusive agreement with Sumitomo Electric Industries (SEI) to bring SEI's advanced Pedestrian Detection sensor to the U.S. market. This collaboration, revealed on June 11, seeks to integrate cutting-edge radar technology into Iteris' ClearMobility Platform, potentially saving numerous lives and providing valuable data for improved mobility management.

The Sumitomo Pedestrian Detection sensor, which has been successfully reducing pedestrian-vehicle conflicts in Japan since 2017, utilizes 24 GHz millimeter-wave radar technology. This advanced system can operate effectively in all weather and lighting conditions, from bright sunlight to complete darkness. The sensor's proprietary algorithms enable it to track pedestrians even when obscured by other vehicles, covering a wide detection area suitable for various intersection and midblock configurations.

Iteris plans to incorporate this technology into its Vantage PedSafe solution, enhancing its already robust transportation safety solutions portfolio. The integration will provide real-time analytics through Iteris' ClearGuide software, offering insights into pedestrian activity and helping identify unsafe areas.

The timing of this partnership is crucial, as pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. reached a 40-year high in 2022, with 7,508 deaths reported. Alarmingly, 76% of these fatalities occurred in dark conditions, and the rate was nearly double in lower-income areas. The Vantage PedSafe system, a key component of Iteris' comprehensive detection solutions, is designed to protect vulnerable road users in diverse conditions, making it ideal for high-traffic areas such as intersections, school zones, university campuses, transportation hubs, and entertainment venues.

Vantage PedSafe utilizes advanced sensors and analytics to monitor pedestrian movements and optimize traffic signal timings, ensuring safer crossings. The system can activate dynamic street lighting, LED beacons, and message signs to alert drivers of pedestrians, enhancing visibility and awareness. Additionally, it can broadcast safety warnings to connected vehicles and optimize traffic operations by adjusting signal timing based on real-time pedestrian detection.

This initiative aligns with the Vision Zero movement, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries while addressing transportation equity issues in underserved communities. Vantage PedSafe specifically targets the higher pedestrian fatality rates in lower-income areas and assists agencies in securing safety-related grants by demonstrating effective safety improvements.

The collaboration between Iteris and Sumitomo Electric Industries represents a significant step forward in smart mobility infrastructure management. By combining Sumitomo's advanced radar technology with Iteris' innovative in-house pedestrian safety solutions, this partnership has the potential to create safer environments and substantially reduce traffic fatalities across the United States, particularly in lower-income communities where the need is most pressing.

As Iteris continues to monitor, visualize, and optimize mobility infrastructure, this latest integration reinforces its position as a trusted leader in the field. With thousands of public agencies and various private-sector enterprises already relying on Iteris' solutions, the introduction of this advanced pedestrian safety technology could have far-reaching impacts on urban planning, traffic management, and most importantly, saving lives on America's roads.