Litija, 14 May 2015 – In cooperation with the insurance company, Zavarovalnica Triglav, and the company, Aktivna Signalizacija Korun, the Municipality of Litija has installed a COPS@road warning system at Zagorica, a dangerous crossroads which has been the scene of frequent traffic accidents. This is one of the first examples of a warning system being used on Slovenia’s roads. Using a light signal, the COPS@road (Collision Preventing Safety) system warns the driver coming from a side road of any potential collision hazard when another vehicle approaches from the main road. Speaking at today's launch of the system, the Mayor of the Municipality of Litija, Franci Rokavec, emphasised that the COPS@road system would considerably increase the safety of all road users on that particular crossroads.
At the Zagorica crossroads, the main road and the side road both feature long levelled sections which encourage drivers to frequently exceed the speed limit, thereby greatly increasing the risk of impact from the side road because drivers often fail to notice the crossroads in time. Other factors which make this particular crossroads so critical are a slight twist in the side road and the facilities situated along the main-road part of the crossroads, which impede visibility and make it difficult for drivers to join the main road. The COPS@road system provides drivers approaching the crossroads with additional information on any potential collision hazard, encouraging them to exercise caution. The COPS@road system at the Zagorica crossroads uses solar energy and the electricity grid for its power supply. It includes elements for the detection and warning of road users as well as modules for radio communication between the different system units. The central unit placed on the side road features an adjustable traffic sign, a vehicle detector and a light signal display, while the main road is equipped with two detector units, one on each side of the road, which identify vehicles approaching the crossroads. When the units simultaneously identify vehicles approaching from both the main road and the side road, a flashing exclamation mark is displayed to drivers on the side road, warning them in real time of a potential collision hazard. It should be underlined that the COPS@road system does not function as a traffic light or any other type of mandatory traffic signpost, but is instead a supplementary warning system.
Coming together to promote improved traffic safety in Slovenia
As emphasised by Mayor of the Municipality of Litija, Franci Rokavec, the COPS@road system will make drivers more cautious and aware, thereby improving the safety of all road users. “We were delighted to use the opportunity for co-financing of the COPS@road warning system. The Municipality of Litija takes great efforts to increase the safety of its residents through various approaches,” Mr Rokavec said.
Within the framework of the project Coming together to promote improved traffic safety in Slovenia, the Zavarovalnica Triglav insurance company financed 40% of the costs of placing 12 COPS@road systems at critical road crossings in various regions of Slovenia where collision risks were identified due to poor visibility, thereby actively contributing to reducing road accidents. The Zagorica crossroads in Litija is one of these dangerous crossroads. “As Slovenia’s largest insurance company, Zavarovalnica Triglav places great emphasis on road safety. We have been carrying out prevention campaigns with this goal in mind for many years now. Last year, as part of the project, Zavarovalnica Triglav helped to equip six crossroads in various regions of Slovenia with traffic systems. The project is continuing this year and we are delighted that the Zagorica crossroads in Litija, known for being dangerous, will now be safer for all drivers”, said Aleš Klement, Director of the Ljubljana Regional Unit of Zavarovalnica Triglav.
The COPS@road system was developed by A.s.K., a young Slovenian start-up. “The results so far show that the COPS@road system reduces the number of road accidents at dangerous sections by about 90%. We believe this system will make the Zagorica crossroads safer as well,” said Peter Korun, Director of A.s.K.
