Alaska DOT Pilots AI-Driven Lighting to Boost Pedestrian Safety
Alaska DOT pilots AI-driven lighting in Kodiak to protect pedestrians. Dynamic LEDs detect and "escort" walkers to reduce autumn crashes.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Feb 19, 2026
The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities has launched a pilot program featuring an AI-driven illumination system designed to increase pedestrian visibility during the state’s darkest months.
The deployment of the SecurOS Soffit system on Rezanof Drive near Cope Street marks the first time this technology has been used in Alaska. Developed by ISS (Intelligent Security Systems), the system is specifically aimed at reducing pedestrian-related crashes during September and October.
According to state officials, Alaska experiences a spike in pedestrian accidents during the early autumn. During this window, daylight hours decrease rapidly, but the ground lacks the snow cover that typically provides a visual contrast to help drivers see pedestrians at night.
Unlike traditional streetlights that remain on at a constant brightness, the new system uses video analytics to detect pedestrians as they approach a crosswalk. Once a person is detected, the system activates a dynamic LED array that "escorts" them across the street, illuminating only the pedestrian and their immediate path.
"This project underscores our mutual commitment to protecting pedestrians in challenging environments," said Aluisio Figueiredo, CEO of ISS. "By bringing intelligent visibility to Kodiak's roads, we hope to demonstrate how technology can save lives where traditional infrastructure may fall short."
The targeted lighting approach is designed to alert motorists to the presence of a person in the roadway while simultaneously minimizing light pollution.
The Kodiak installation follows a similar deployment of the technology in Dublin, Ohio, earlier this year as part of a broader effort to integrate artificial intelligence into municipal safety infrastructure.