Alaska DOT Pilots Pedestrian Safety System to Address Low-Visibility Crash Risk
What to Know
- The pilot is the first deployment of ISS's SecurOS Soffit system in Alaska, focusing on pedestrian safety during limited daylight hours.
- The system activates only when pedestrians are detected, illuminating their immediate path to improve visibility and driver awareness.
- Targeted lighting aims to reduce pedestrian crashes without the need for extensive infrastructure modifications.
The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities is piloting a pedestrian safety system on Rezanof Drive near Cope Street in Kodiak to reduce crash risk during periods of limited daylight.
According to the department, the pilot marks the first Alaska deployment of the SecurOS® Soffit pedestrian safety system developed by ISS (Intelligent Security Systems). The installation is intended to address a seasonal safety concern in which pedestrian crashes increase during early fall months as daylight hours decline before snow cover improves visibility.
The system differs from conventional roadway lighting by activating only when pedestrians are detected approaching a crosswalk. Using video analytics, the technology illuminates pedestrians and their immediate path across the roadway, rather than lighting the surrounding area continuously. Transportation officials said the targeted illumination is designed to increase driver awareness while limiting unnecessary light exposure.
The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities selected the system for evaluation based on its potential to improve pedestrian visibility during Kodiak’s darker months without requiring broader infrastructure changes. The pilot is being conducted along a roadway segment identified as having pedestrian safety concerns during low-light conditions.
In a statement, Aluisio Figueiredo, CEO of ISS, said the deployment is intended to demonstrate how adaptive lighting technology can improve pedestrian safety in environments where traditional street lighting may be less effective.
"We are proud to partner with the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities on this critical initiative," Figueiredo said. "This project underscores our mutual commitment to protecting pedestrians in challenging environments. By bringing intelligent visibility to Kodiak's roads, we hope to demonstrate how technology can save lives where traditional infrastructure may fall short."
Check out what Alaska DOT&PF had to say about the pilot project here: https://dot.alaska.gov/comm/pressbox/arch2026/PR26-0004.shtml This installation follows the recent successful deployment of the SecurOS® Soffit in Dublin, Ohio, last month, further expanding the adoption of this AI-driven safety technology across the U.S.
To learn more about the SecurOS® Soffit, visit https://issivs.com/.