Dr. Tanapon Lilasathapornkit, CTO of footpath.ai, took the stage at the 15th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion (Safety 2024), held from September 2-4 at the Taj Palace in New Delhi, India. The event, organized by The George Institute for Global Health and co-sponsored by the World Health Organization, brought together experts from around the globe under the theme “Building a safer future for all.”
In his presentation, Dr. Lilasathapornkit shed light on the urgent need for pedestrian safety in India, citing a 2023 Bosch India study that found 99% of Indian pedestrians are at risk of injury. With nearly 30,000 pedestrian fatalities recorded on Indian roads in 2021 alone, it’s clear that better infrastructure and safety measures are essential. Beyond road safety, Tanapon highlighted the growing threat of extreme weather, particularly heatwaves, and how urban environments need to adapt to protect pedestrians.
The presentation showcased footpath.ai's AI-driven approach to solving these challenges. In a recent trial with IIT Delhi, nearly 100 kilometers of pedestrian infrastructure across the city were mapped using street-level imagery and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. This trial generated critical data on the condition and availability of pathways, helping to inform urban resilience and safety and climate adaptation strategies, such as the provision of shade for pedestrians.
Dr. Lilasathapornkit’s insights underscored the potential of AI to transform not just how we map our cities, but how we make them safer and more resilient. As cities face increasing pressures from traffic and climate change, integrating AI into urban planning is becoming a crucial step toward building more inclusive and sustainable spaces for everyone.