Interview Spotlight: Claire Legrand, PARIFEX

What are the core challenges faced by the public transport industry in relation to traffic management?

The greatest challenge nowadays is to improve road safety for all users. Speed has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a key risk factor, influencing both the risk of a road crash, as well as the severity of the injuries. Speed contributes to about 30 to 50 per cent of deaths on the road. This relationship between speed and injury severity is particularly critical for vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians or cyclists. Therefore, an effective speed enforcement system is the most efficient way of reducing road mortality. It is even more effective when you can adapt speed levels to the conditions, such as when the risk is higher (with rain, congestion, category of vehicle etc.). Once the safety of the users is guaranteed, the important thing is to improve the user experience for all users and inhabitants. 

We are also convinced that we are facing a deep ecological challenge for the future. According to the United Nations (UN), 68 per cent of the world’s population will live in a city by 2050 – resulting in an increase in the number of vehicles, traffic flows and, inevitably, congestion. The challenge will be to be able to reduce congestion and noise pollution, while improving traffic flows and assisting drivers. We are very aware of these challenges, and we want to be involved in this evolution by helping local communities and governments to build a safer and more eco‑friendly transport offer. 

What products/solutions can PARIFEX offer the industry to overcome these challenges?

PARIFEX offers multifunctional systems that can address all of the challenges at once; primarily developed for speed and red light enforcement, they are also great tools to deliver essential data to help traffic management: origin-destination matrix, very precise counting and statistics. It provides a complete mapping of urban traffic flows in order to reduce congestion, manage flows and then reduce carbon emissions. Obviously, it also improves users’ comfort, as they benefit from a fluid and pleasant journey. 

Regarding our solutions, we have decided to combine 3D-LiDAR technology with a camera, which provides an innovative system that can work in all weather conditions, analyse data in real time thanks to quick processing, see colours and so on. Our sensor is very precise, with French certification, and is adaptable, as the speed limit can be adjusted according to the category of vehicle detected, the lane of the vehicle and to other parameters such as weather or congestion. Our solutions are adapted for urban areas and for highways. It’s the ‘Swiss army knife’ of solutions, providing operators with ease of use through the compact and light system and its user-friendly interface. 

What are PARIFEX’s long-term goals for the public transport industry?

As with every company, PARIFEX plays a role in protecting the environment. Our company is already involved in an eco‑responsible approach through an environmental policy for our products, partners and customers; the measuring of our carbon footprint; and the promotion of everyday responsible habits, to name but a few, and our products are included in this policy. We would like to help the public transport industry to offer a safer and better world, where everyone has a safe and respected space: pedestrian, cyclist, scooter, light vehicle, truck or bus. Ensuring that everyone can travel according to their needs and constraints whilst working in harmony with the environment.