Initiative details
In Valladolid, one of the main road safety challenges we identified was the safety of children on school routes, especially at intersections with high vehicle flow and limited visibility. Traditional pedestrian crossings, marked only by paint, often fail to capture drivers’ attention — particularly during early morning or late afternoon hours when light conditions are poor, and traffic is dense.
Children, due to their smaller size and unpredictable behavior, are among the most vulnerable road users. Despite the presence of static signage, many drivers fail to reduce speed near school zones, and pedestrians, especially children, faced heightened risks when crossing.
We addressed this issue by implementing the Retrolight System®, an innovative smart crosswalk solution with embedded LED panels and intelligent vertical signage, in one of Valladolid’s key school routes. The system uses real-time sensors to detect pedestrians’ intention to cross and activates dynamic lighting both on the ground and in vertical signs, immediately alerting approaching drivers. By combining active visual cues with automated detection, the system significantly improves pedestrian visibility, raises driver awareness, and ultimately reduces crossing-related risks. This project serves as a replicable model for enhancing safety on school routes across urban environments.
Children, due to their smaller size and unpredictable behavior, are among the most vulnerable road users. Despite the presence of static signage, many drivers fail to reduce speed near school zones, and pedestrians, especially children, faced heightened risks when crossing.
We addressed this issue by implementing the Retrolight System®, an innovative smart crosswalk solution with embedded LED panels and intelligent vertical signage, in one of Valladolid’s key school routes. The system uses real-time sensors to detect pedestrians’ intention to cross and activates dynamic lighting both on the ground and in vertical signs, immediately alerting approaching drivers. By combining active visual cues with automated detection, the system significantly improves pedestrian visibility, raises driver awareness, and ultimately reduces crossing-related risks. This project serves as a replicable model for enhancing safety on school routes across urban environments.
Initiative date
Who was/is your target audience?
Policy makers
Public authorities
Children 0-16
Young adults 17-25
Adults
Parents
Seniors
Company employees
Fleet operators
Car drivers
Car drivers – professional
Educational staff
Emergency services
Public transport
Van drivers
Lorry/truck drivers
Cyclists
Micromobility riders
Powered two wheeler riders (excluding micromobility)
Pedestrians
Others
Topic
Create awareness
Improve vehicles and infrastructure
Organisation details
SIALTRONICA
Enterprise
Spain
AVILES
Contact name
Azahara Gonzalez
Telephone number
+34984184888
agonzalez@sialtronica.com
Website link
Project activities
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
Municipal Architect and Urban Planning Department
They provided technical guidance on the site-specific design and integration of the Retrolight System®, helping adapt the solution to the intersection’s physical layout and ensuring compliance with local infrastructure standards.
Contractors and Civil Works Teams
Responsible for carrying out the on-site pavement preparation, installation of the in-ground LED panels, vertical signs, and system integration, they ensured that the work was completed efficiently and with minimal disruption to traffic and school activities.
They provided technical guidance on the site-specific design and integration of the Retrolight System®, helping adapt the solution to the intersection’s physical layout and ensuring compliance with local infrastructure standards.
Contractors and Civil Works Teams
Responsible for carrying out the on-site pavement preparation, installation of the in-ground LED panels, vertical signs, and system integration, they ensured that the work was completed efficiently and with minimal disruption to traffic and school activities.
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
The Valladolid school route safety project was implemented over six months, from initial planning to full deployment. We began with a comprehensive site analysis, working closely with the municipal architect to co-design the most effective solution for the identified safety challenge.
Once the target intersection was selected, we developed a tailored Retrolight System® configuration. This included selecting the optimal arrangement of in-ground LED panels, intelligent vertical signage, and sensor-based activation systems. Our engineering team carefully adapted the design to the specific site conditions, ensuring maximum visibility and minimal disruption to the existing infrastructure.
Installation was completed efficiently over two days, covering pavement preparation, embedding of LED panels, installation of vertical signs, and integration of the sensor and control units. After deployment, we conducted a rigorous testing and calibration phase to guarantee precise pedestrian detection, accurate activation timing, and smooth operation under all lighting and weather conditions.
The project is currently active, and over the coming months, we will monitor improvements in pedestrian visibility and crossing behavior, using the collected data to evaluate impact. This implementation will serve as a replicable model for improving safety on school routes throughout Valladolid and other urban settings.
Once the target intersection was selected, we developed a tailored Retrolight System® configuration. This included selecting the optimal arrangement of in-ground LED panels, intelligent vertical signage, and sensor-based activation systems. Our engineering team carefully adapted the design to the specific site conditions, ensuring maximum visibility and minimal disruption to the existing infrastructure.
Installation was completed efficiently over two days, covering pavement preparation, embedding of LED panels, installation of vertical signs, and integration of the sensor and control units. After deployment, we conducted a rigorous testing and calibration phase to guarantee precise pedestrian detection, accurate activation timing, and smooth operation under all lighting and weather conditions.
The project is currently active, and over the coming months, we will monitor improvements in pedestrian visibility and crossing behavior, using the collected data to evaluate impact. This implementation will serve as a replicable model for improving safety on school routes throughout Valladolid and other urban settings.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
The greatest challenge we faced was demonstrating why our solution — the Retrolight System® — was the optimal choice to improve safety at pedestrian crossings along school routes. This required presenting clear, data-backed arguments to stakeholders, showing how an active, sensor-driven system offered superior visibility and risk reduction compared to traditional passive markings.
Once approval was secured, we focused on designing the most effective configuration for each specific intersection, tailoring the system layout to local conditions, traffic patterns, and visibility constraints.
A critical part of implementation was managing the construction and installation process in a highly coordinated way. We needed to complete the works within the shortest possible time frame and with minimal disruption to daily school and community activities. This demanded meticulous logistical planning, precise scheduling, and close communication with municipal authorities and contractors.
What worked particularly well was the modular, adaptable design of the Retrolight System®, which allowed for fast on-site integration. The strong collaboration between technical teams and city officials ensured smooth execution, while the post-installation calibration phase allowed us to fine-tune the system for optimal performance.
Overall, the project provided both a technical and organizational learning experience, creating a valuable model for future school zone improvements.
Once approval was secured, we focused on designing the most effective configuration for each specific intersection, tailoring the system layout to local conditions, traffic patterns, and visibility constraints.
A critical part of implementation was managing the construction and installation process in a highly coordinated way. We needed to complete the works within the shortest possible time frame and with minimal disruption to daily school and community activities. This demanded meticulous logistical planning, precise scheduling, and close communication with municipal authorities and contractors.
What worked particularly well was the modular, adaptable design of the Retrolight System®, which allowed for fast on-site integration. The strong collaboration between technical teams and city officials ensured smooth execution, while the post-installation calibration phase allowed us to fine-tune the system for optimal performance.
Overall, the project provided both a technical and organizational learning experience, creating a valuable model for future school zone improvements.
Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
As the Valladolid school route project was completed recently, we have not yet gathered full evaluation data specific to this installation.
We plan to build on this solid track record by conducting site-specific data collection in collaboration with local partners, ensuring continuous evaluation and providing a replicable model for future school safety improvements.
We plan to build on this solid track record by conducting site-specific data collection in collaboration with local partners, ensuring continuous evaluation and providing a replicable model for future school safety improvements.
What has been the effect of the activities?
Since the Valladolid school route installation is a recent deployment, we do not yet have complete local data on the number of people reached or precise reductions in crashes, injuries, or deaths.
However, we base our expectations on the proven impact of the Retrolight System® in other locations, where its effectiveness has been rigorously evaluated and documented.
Independent studies, such as one by the University of Rome, have shown a 19.3% reduction in average vehicle speed at crossings equipped with the system, directly lowering the risk of severe or fatal accidents. Additionally, police records from implemented sites in Portugal report up to a 69% reduction in traffic accidents and a 191% increase in pedestrian traffic, indicating not only improved safety but also renewed public confidence in using these crossings.
Our solution has been recognized and endorsed by national and international bodies, including the Spanish General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), Interreg Europe, and EIT Urban Mobility. Most recently, it was awarded Third Best Innovation at the IV Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech (February 2025).
The Retrolight System® stands out for its efficient, sensor-driven activation, which ensures energy savings and targeted driver alerts. It complements existing safety measures and serves as a scalable, replicable model with potential impact at local, regional, national, and international levels.
However, we base our expectations on the proven impact of the Retrolight System® in other locations, where its effectiveness has been rigorously evaluated and documented.
Independent studies, such as one by the University of Rome, have shown a 19.3% reduction in average vehicle speed at crossings equipped with the system, directly lowering the risk of severe or fatal accidents. Additionally, police records from implemented sites in Portugal report up to a 69% reduction in traffic accidents and a 191% increase in pedestrian traffic, indicating not only improved safety but also renewed public confidence in using these crossings.
Our solution has been recognized and endorsed by national and international bodies, including the Spanish General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), Interreg Europe, and EIT Urban Mobility. Most recently, it was awarded Third Best Innovation at the IV Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety in Marrakech (February 2025).
The Retrolight System® stands out for its efficient, sensor-driven activation, which ensures energy savings and targeted driver alerts. It complements existing safety measures and serves as a scalable, replicable model with potential impact at local, regional, national, and international levels.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
The Valladolid school route project using the Retrolight System® is an outstanding example of improving road safety because it directly addresses one of the most critical challenges: the vulnerability of pedestrians at crossings, especially children.
Children are among the most at-risk road users. Their smaller size, unpredictable or erratic behavior, and limited ability to judge vehicle speed make them particularly exposed at intersections — even when conventional signs or markings are present. This initiative goes beyond passive measures, providing active, real-time protection when it’s needed most.
A key strength of the Retrolight System® is its intuitive, no-effort design. Pedestrians don’t need any explanation, training, or awareness campaign to benefit from it. The system automatically detects when someone is about to cross and activates dynamic LED signals that instantly capture driver attention.
Crucially, the system’s effectiveness is not lost over time because it only illuminates when necessary. Studies show that constant visual signals can fade into the background for drivers, becoming part of the “roadscape” and losing their warning power. By activating only in response to real-time presence, Retrolight ensures each alert is precise, meaningful, and effective, maximizing its impact on driver behavior and protecting the most vulnerable.
Children are among the most at-risk road users. Their smaller size, unpredictable or erratic behavior, and limited ability to judge vehicle speed make them particularly exposed at intersections — even when conventional signs or markings are present. This initiative goes beyond passive measures, providing active, real-time protection when it’s needed most.
A key strength of the Retrolight System® is its intuitive, no-effort design. Pedestrians don’t need any explanation, training, or awareness campaign to benefit from it. The system automatically detects when someone is about to cross and activates dynamic LED signals that instantly capture driver attention.
Crucially, the system’s effectiveness is not lost over time because it only illuminates when necessary. Studies show that constant visual signals can fade into the background for drivers, becoming part of the “roadscape” and losing their warning power. By activating only in response to real-time presence, Retrolight ensures each alert is precise, meaningful, and effective, maximizing its impact on driver behavior and protecting the most vulnerable.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
We regularly communicate through industry networks, social media, and collaborations with public authorities to highlight results and best practices.
We also engage with platforms like Interreg Europe and EIT Urban Mobility to share insights, support replication, and contribute to the global exchange of innovative road safety solutions.
We also engage with platforms like Interreg Europe and EIT Urban Mobility to share insights, support replication, and contribute to the global exchange of innovative road safety solutions.
