This design is a proposal for a pedestrian alert system to monitor and notify users of obstacles approaching behind them. A camera imaging system and a LIDAR sensor will be used to identify and track approaching runners, hikers, bikers and other potential hazards. Hiking trails can have blind corners and congested paths that can lead to accidental collisions and injuries. This is an especially prevalent issue with mixed use trails that may have hikers, runners and bikers sharing the same narrow trail. The “Third Eye: Alert System” has been developed to have a multiple sensor approach to this problem which will allow this alert system to ignore stationary objects commonly found on these trails such as trees, hills or rocks while still alerting the user when and on what side faster trail users are approaching from. This will ensure that the trail can safely be shared between users and non users. This alert system will also function in residential areas as well as trails to alert pedestrians of runners or bikers approaching them from behind. This will also support user notifications through a vibration so the user can be confident about his or her safety while running, hiking and biking in his or her’s area of choice.

The project was influenced by Dr. Bledsoe. As an avid bicyclist he challenged the group to create a device that would keep people safe while running, walking and biking. With the help of the “Third Eye: Alert System” users will be and feel safer as the device will alert the side of the user when a detectable hazard is approaching from the rear.