An 18-year-old built an AI traffic system that changes pedestrian signals based on how safe people feel crossing a road

An 18-year-old student has developed an AI-powered traffic system designed to make road crossings safer for people who need more time to reach the other side. The system is called SmartBlink and instead of a set time for crossing, it changes the pedestrian light timings based on how fast people cross the road. The invention, developed by Phillips Academy student Jay Jung of Massachusetts, aims to make streets more accessible to older adults and others with physical difficulties. His work has also earned recognition at an international science competition.How does the 18-year-old's AI traffic system make pedestrian crossings saferTraditional pedestrian signals give people a limited amount of time to cross a road. While this arrangement may work for many pedestrians, it can leave older adults and people with mobility difficulties struggling to reach the pavement before the signal changes.For Jung, this was not simply a technical problem but something he had noticed during everyday life. His experience walking with his grandparents led him to explore how traffic signals might better serve people moving at various speeds, NiceNews reported.His invention, SmartBlink, uses AI to monitor pedestrian movement and adjust crossing times accordingly. Instead of expecting everyone to cross at the same pace, the system takes account of how long the slower-moving pedestrian may need.The project reflects a different approach to road safety, placing greater emphasis on the people using a crossing instead of treating every pedestrian as though they have identical physical abilities.The idea began with a problem involving his grandparentsJung grew up with his grandparents in South Korea. During his childhood, he noticed that they sometimes struggled to cross streets in Seoul before pedestrian signals changed.Walking with his grandparents to places such as the local grocery shop and park helped him recognise the limitations of conventional crossing signals. The time allowed to cross did not always match the pace at which they could comfortably walk.That experience stayed with him, and eventually influenced how he approached technology. He began to wonder if a more responsive system might be a practical solution. His project exemplifies how a simple observation can lead to an idea that goes beyond the original problem.SmartBlink adjusts crossing time for speed of walkingThe main advantage of SmartBlink is its capacity to estimate the time a pedestrian needs to cross the road. Instead of following an unchanging schedule, the system can adapt the crossing period to the person's observed movement.If a pedestrian signal normally provides 20 seconds to cross, but the system estimates that a person needs 34 seconds, it can add another 14 seconds to the crossing period.This adjustment is intended to reduce the pressure pedestrians may feel when trying to reach the other side before the light changes. It also recognises that crossing a road can be more challenging for someone who walks slowly or uses a mobility aid.According to NiceNews, SmartBlink can identify pedestrians using wheelchairs, crutches or walking canes. Its algorithm has also been adapted to function under different lighting conditions, supporting its potential use during both daytime and night-time hours.A crossing that works well for one person may not provide enough time for another. SmartBlink seeks to address that difference by adapting the signal to the person crossing.The student received international recognition for his inventionJung's work received recognition at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, an international competition for secondary-school students presenting scientific and engineering projects.According to the Society for Science, Jung won 1st place in the Behavioral and Social Sciences category for SmartBlink. The project was recognised under the title ‘SmartBlink: Real-Time AI-Driven Adaptive Pedestrian Traffic System for Enhancing Perceived Pedestrian Safety and Traffic Efficiency.’The award came with a prize of $6,000. The recognition placed his project among a broad range of student-led research initiatives exploring practical problems through science and technology. In Jung's case, the focus was on making existing urban infrastructure more responsive to the people who depend on it.Despite the award, the system has not yet been installed at pedestrian crossings. Its next stage involves exploring how it could be tested in actual communities and adapted to local conditions.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.