Loveland, Colorado: A Blueprint for Smarter, Safer Streets

In the heart of Northern Colorado, the city of Loveland is leading innovation in pedestrian safety. With suburban development continuing in the region, increased foot traffic near schools, retail centers, and trailheads, and rising concerns about vulnerable road users, Loveland faces a challenge familiar to many growing cities: how to protect pedestrians before tragedy strikes.

Loveland made a proactive investment in pedestrian safety. It became the first city in Colorado to deploy Vantage PedSafe™, integrating Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs), radar-based detection, and connected vehicle technology into a unified solution. The result? A scalable, data-driven infrastructure that not only supports safety today but lays the groundwork for smarter mobility tomorrow.

The Challenge: Growing Risks in a Growing City

Loveland’s suburban expansion brought a surge in pedestrian activity. Children walking to and from school, hikers crossing busy roads near trailheads, and residents navigating nighttime streets all faced heightened risk. Traditional crosswalk systems—often reliant on fixed-timer flashing or manual button activation—weren’t enough.

The city needed a solution that could:

• Detect pedestrians in real time, regardless of weather or lighting.

• Alert drivers with distinct visual cues.

• Ensure crossings remained active until all pedestrians were safely across.

• Integrate with future smart city technologies.

The Solution: Vantage PedSafe + RRFBs

Loveland’s deployment of Vantage PedSafe™ with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) was just what they needed. The system combines:

• High-visibility RRFBs that activate only when pedestrians are present.

• 60 GHz millimeter-wave radar for precise detection—even in total darkness or adverse weather.

• Dynamic lighting and signage to improve driver awareness.

• Connected vehicle (CV) capabilities for broadcasting alerts to vehicles equipped with On-Board Units (OBUs).

• Analytics integration for tracking pedestrian behavior and infrastructure performance.

Unlike traditional solutions, PedSafe keeps RRFBs flashing until every pedestrian has cleared the crosswalk, dramatically reducing the risk of mid-crossing collisions.

Why It Matters: Safety First, Scalability Second

Pedestrian safety is not just the right thing to focus on—it’s a crisis in America. In 2023 alone:

• 7,148 pedestrians were struck and killed in the U.S. in 2024. Source: GHSA

• Pedestrian deaths hit a 40-year high in 2022. Source: GHSA

• 77% of pedestrians killed in collisions occurred during dark conditions in 2023. Source: GHSA

• Pedestrian fatalities in lower-income areas are nearly double those in other regions. Source: Smart Growth America

Loveland’s approach directly addresses these issues. By targeting high-risk crossings and deploying technology that adapts to real-world conditions, the city is protecting its most vulnerable residents—children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

Loveland discovered that by partnering with Iteris, Vantage PedSafe is:

• Fast to deploy, minimizing disruption and maximizing impact.

• Scalable, supporting future integration with CV alerts and signal timing optimization.

• Cost-effective, reducing long-term maintenance and enabling smarter resource allocation.

A Model for the Front Range—and Beyond

Loveland’s success has already inspired other cities along Colorado’s Front Range to follow suit. Its real-world deployment serves as a proof of concept highlighting how proactive infrastructure can transform pedestrian safety.

By aligning with Vision Zero goals—eliminating fatalities and serious injuries—Loveland demonstrates data-driven planning and forward-thinking technology work hand-in-hand.

Supporting Stories: A Nationwide Movement

Loveland isn’t alone. Cities like San Marcos, TX and Corona, CA have also adopted Vantage PedSafe to address their local safety challenges. San Marcos improved safety for 40,000+ university students crossing a high-volume road, and Corona prioritized school zone safety without relying on manual activation.

These stories underscore a growing national trend: cities are recognizing that smart, responsive infrastructure saves lives.

Step Toward a Safer Future

Loveland’s story is more than a case study—it’s a call to action. For city planners, transportation engineers, and officials across the country, the question isn’t whether pedestrian safety can be improved. It’s how quickly and effectively it can be done.

With scalable technology, real-time data, and proven results, Vantage PedSafe offers a path forward.

Ready to explore how your city can benefit? Schedule a demo today and take the first step toward smarter, safer streets.