"Development of a LED-fallback
system with the help of viewpointsystem-analysis"
Ernst Pfleger,EPIGUS - Institut für ganzheitliche Unfall- und
Sicherheitsforschung, Wien www.viewpointsystem.at LED – safety system for chairlifts
New development by order of the Austrian ministry of transport, innovation and
technology
The new safety system for exit areas of chairlifts was developed by EPIGUS,
Institute of holistic accident and safety research, on the basis of view
research with the viewpointsystem. The safety system in the form of LED displays
helps in the reduction of premature openings of safety clamps by passengers and
to lower the risk of falls from chairs.
Different solutions were tested on efficiency and improved on basis of view
research and statistical analyses. After many analyses a package of measures was
developed that allows to cheaply retrofit many existing stations without
expensive modifications. The system has a demonstrable effect in that the
opening point of the safety clamps is moved into the safety area of the stations.
Earlier solutions like safety nets in the area of stations have influenced the
opening point in a negative way, because these solutions put a feeling of
security across to passengers which in turn leads to an earlier opening point of
the safety clamps.
The proposed safety system consist of two LED light signs and one LED light bar.
The LED light signs warn with an illuminated pictogram of premature opening, and
the LED bar show the correct opening point by switching from a red to a green
light. In 2003 and 2004, the research was conducted and effectively tested by
using the viewpointsystem viewing research – a special high-tech system for
recording of viewing behaviour. In the beginning of 2005, 20 facilities in
Austria were already using the LED safety system, and a final validation of the
efficiency was conducted.
Within the next two to three years, a country-wide retrofit of all chairlifts in
Austria is planned by the ministry of transportation.
Pictograms explaining the correct handling of the new system were developed in
cooperation with Design - office Stockhammer on basis of the LED light signs and
light bars. The new LED safety system can be brought to the attention of
chairlift users by corresponding marketing. For example on beer mats in alpine
huts, flags in bottom stations, prints on lift cards and information on local
TV.
