In Nantes, a dynamic light floor marking to avoid collisions

• A new type of signage is being tested on the island of Nantes, at a dangerous crossroads.
• A white line and chevrons light up to encourage motorists to stop.
• The process, called Flowell, is an invention of the Colas company.

On the sidelines of the launch of the new L5 busway line, Nantes Métropole unveiled a new process on Thursday to appease cars, bicycles and buses. This is a dynamic luminous floor marking installed at the crossroads of boulevard Vincent-Gâche and boulevard De Gaulle, on the island of Nantes. At each priority passage of a bus, the white line located at the foot of the flashing red lights lights up and flickers. Chevrons affixed to the lane reserved for public transport do the same, in yellow this time.

A new dynamic light marking to secure bus crossing on the busy intersection of boulevard de Gaulle on the island of #Nantes pic.twitter.com/QAlsSanmoA

Objective: to enhance the visibility of priorities and thus reduce the risk of collisions. “It is a complicated and accident-provoking crossroads, justifies Semitan. Motorists do not necessarily follow the signs and bus drivers are hesitant to take action or sometimes have to brake suddenly to avoid a collision. "

Already tested on a pedestrian crossing

The device, invented by the Colas company and called Flowell, works thanks to the bonding of thin tiles fitted with LEDs. Connected to a radio wave system, it detects the arrival of the bus and trips and then switches off independently. It is the second time that it has been tested in France. The first experiment was launched in March 2019 in Mandelieu (Alpes-Maritimes) for a luminous pedestrian crossing.

“It is a very easy technology to install since it does not require digging the roadway. It also covers large areas if necessary, ”argues Etienne Gaudin, director of development and mobility at Colas. If the LEDs seem a bit gimmicky in direct sunlight, they can be seen more during dark hours or when there is fog. “These are the most dangerous traffic conditions. "Points out Etienne Gaudin.

"It offers lots of possibilities"

A dozen additional experiments are planned in France in 2020, mainly for pedestrian crossings. But the Flowell device can also be used to distinguish bus or carpool lanes in a pendulum fashion, cites Etienne Gaudin as an example. “This offers a lot of possibilities, concedes Olivier Delerue, project manager at Semitan. Afterwards, to keep it effective, I don't think it should be used with all sauces either. "

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• Nantes
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• Invention