University of Arizona Parking & Transportation Services Partners with SolarPath to Protect Pedestrians

August 26, 2010

Tuscon, Arizona - Beginning July 2010, University of Arizona (UA) Parking & Transportation Services in partnership with UA Facilities Management, Electric Supply Company in Tucson, and Solar Path Sun Solutions Inc. have installed the region its first solar lighted crosswalk on the corner of First Street and Mountain Ave in Tucson.

The solar crosswalk has been provided to the UA through the generosity of Electric Supply Company and Solar Path Sun Solutions Inc. The solar lighting is an in grade road marker system that can be seen by vehicles from 3300 feet away.
The solar lights are water resistant, effective to 176 degrees, will charge in 3 hours time and will stay lit up to 16 hours. The lights will be provided to clearly designate a crossing area for pedestrians, in front of and in full view of drivers.

The main goal of this particular solar crosswalk is to illuminate the crosswalk with the embedded flashing solar lights which have a calming effect on traffic (tends to slow traffic down). This will increase safety between motorists and pedestrians, save money, and save energy.
The solar lighted crosswalk is all about making pedestrians more visible on one of the regions busiest routes.

Tucson and the University of Arizona campus are already considered green-friendly urban centers. But with the new solar lighted crosswalk, believed to be one of the first of its kind to be used by any regional campus, will make pedestrians even safer and more comfortable on the street, transportation officials say. “This is technology the University of Arizona has been looking at for a long time”, said Mark Napier, Associate Director of UA Parking & Transportation Services. “The campus community has just made it so clear that this is very important for the safety of our pedestrians.”

Installation of the Solar Lighted crosswalk has taken place by the UA Facilities Management department.

-- Jerry Taucreti