Top 48+ Different City Gadgets That Are Great Examples of Thoughtful Urban Planning

If you take a walk in almost any American city, you will discover that it’s probably not pedestrian-friendly. Unfortunately, not every city in the world is designed to be walkable. In fact, some areas are downright dangerous to try and navigate by foot because they were designed strictly for vehicles. If this unfortunate news leaves you starving for some urban planning inspiration, we’ve gathered some of the most nifty gadgets and designs we think should be found in every city. Take a look and share your thoughts with us.

#1: Speed Camera Lottery

Sweden implemented a speed camera lottery to reward good drivers, and we’re all in. A speedometer was installed in Stockholm and a few other Swedish cities that ticketed speeding drivers as normal. However, if you were driving at or under the speed limit, you were entered into a lottery prize. Pretty nifty!
The best part is that the lottery prize was funded by the traffic fines paid by the speeders. So, it was a totally circular system. Unfortunately, this method of rewarding good behavior is no longer implemented in Sweden. We think it’s a pretty good idea, though. Who thinks other cities should give this a try?

#3: A City Bike Pump

You never know when you’re going to get a flat tire. We’re not talking about cars– we’re talking about bikes! A bicycle helps you navigate your city quickly and efficiently. However, if your tire is low on air, it can leave you stranded and late for work. That’s why we love this genius idea.
Some cities have installed free, publicly available bike pumps beside bike racks. This is the perfect place to put a bike pump since the target audience will eventually come across it. Sometimes, the little things make all the difference in helping someone get through the day.

#4: A Light-Up Traffic Pole

Some cities in Turkey and other countries have traffic poles that light up according to the color of the traffic light. So, when the light is green, the pole is green. When the light is red, the pole is lit up in red. You get the point. This is intended to help drivers discern the color of a traffic light when they are farther away. 
This can be a great idea in heavily trafficked areas. If you’ve ever been in a long line of street traffic, you know how frustrating it can be to inch up a little but have no idea what’s going on up ahead. It can also be helpful when the weather is dark and stormy. However, the pole light can cause intense glare for people with astigmatism. What do you think about this idea?

#6: A Helping Hand at the Crosswalk

Sweden has some nifty pedestrian tools installed throughout their cities. This gadget is simple yet effective. Bike riders can lean on this stand while waiting at a crosswalk. There’s even a convenient foothold if you want to take your foot off the pedal. Whoever thought of this device is a genius. 
Some people might not want to use this because they fear germs. That’s valid, and we hope they get cleaned every once in a while. However, bike riders who aren’t too concerned with germs love these things. The design is intuitive, and the installation doesn’t block other pedestrians. It’s a pretty good idea for cities with many bike riders. 

#7: A Visual Traffic Light Countdown

This traffic light has a nifty countdown timer, which lets drivers know how long they have before a signal goes from red to green to yellow. This is a simple yet effective way to encourage safe driving, and we love it! With these simple countdown timers, there’s no need to anxiously tap your fingers on the steering wheel, wondering when that pesky red light will turn green. 
Also, a countdown timer like this eliminates the guesswork when it comes to driving through a yellow light. A lot of drivers like to take a chance and speed through a yellow light, creating potentially dangerous situations. With this timer, drivers know how long it takes to make it through an intersection. Now that we think about it, why weren’t traffic lights designed like this in the first place?

#9: Luminous Bollards

France loves their luminous lights. This use of lighting is pretty neat because it centers on pedestrian safety, and it looks incredibly chic. These crosswalk bollards have your standard lights on top to allow for nighttime visibility. However, designers went the extra mile and installed LED lights along the bottom. 
The soft blue light emanating from the bottom of the bollards adds extra light to the crosswalk. This allows pedestrians to see better in the dark. It also makes the crosswalk stand out more to drivers, making them less likely to speed through them. While we’re not sure how effective these blue lights are, they sure do look cool and futuristic. 

#10: Photoluminescent Paint

Driving or walking down an unlit road at night can be pretty terrifying. Your surroundings can be so dark that anything can jump out at you without warning. To prevent this, developers in France came up with the genius idea of using photoluminescent paint along their pedestrian walkways. 
The paint absorbs sunlight during the day, allowing the paint to glow in the dark for 10 to 12 hours. This is a wonderful way to illuminate wayfinding without using electricity. It doesn’t necessarily add more lighting to a pathway but clarifies the symbols and lanes. This can easily be used on roads for cars, too. 

#12: Tunnel of Light

Driving the speed limit is a necessary precaution to keep yourself, pedestrians, and other drivers safe. However, we all know most of us don’t follow the speed limit. Certain cities install radar speedometers to get people to slow down, but this tunnel in Melbourne, Australia, is trying something different. 
The tunnel is green if you’re at or below the speed limit. If you’re speeding, the tunnel changes color and “follows” you as you drive. The thinking behind this is that drivers will slow down because their speeding will be publicly broadcast to other drivers. They’re banking on a gentle form of public shaming, and we’re curious if it actually works. 

#13: Providing Directions for Pedestrians

London is full of hectic, crowded one-way streets. It can be overwhelming for pedestrians always to remember which way to look for oncoming traffic. Thankfully, city planners had the brilliant idea to add instructions on the pavement. This photo features an example of painted directions. It says, “Look right,” which implies that the one-way street traffic comes from the right-hand side. 
It doesn’t get simpler than that! Some people have pointed out that these written directions are found throughout the UK, not just in London. It’s a pretty smart idea. Plus, there seems to be an arrow pointing right at the end, in case pedestrians don’t read English or need more visual assistance. It’s a simple tweak that makes being a pedestrian a little easier. 

#15: A New and Improved Crosswalk

Crossing a busy street without stoplights can be highly stressful. Drivers are notorious for not letting pedestrians have the right-of-way, driving while on their phones, and generally not paying attention. This new crosswalk design, which is based on this French concept, is trying to prevent pedestrian-motorist accidents. 
It uses luminous paint for the pavement crosswalk, making it easy for everyone to see. Plus, a light-up bollard has very clear instructions about who can pass. There’s a bright red “stop” that lights up when motorists have to let pedestrians pass. It’s just a new and improved version of a regular crosswalk, but it looks very nice.

#16: Light-Up Tactile Pavement

Tactile pavement was invented in 1965 by Japanese inventor Seiichi Miyake. It features raised bumps and lines to help visually impaired pedestrians navigate a city safely. Since its first introduction in Okayama City a few years later, tactile pavement has become a widespread practice. The city of Melbourne, Australia, is now updating its tactile pavement for the modern age. 
Designers have installed LED lights into the tactile pavement of crosswalks. The pavement is red when pedestrians have to wait and green when it is safe to cross. Designers added these lights to adapt to pedestrians constantly looking down at their phones. Instead of fighting change, they’re trying to work with it. Obviously, everyone should look up and pay attention when crossing the street, but this is a good precaution. 

#18: A Very Serious One-Way Street

If you’ve ever had to deal with after-school pickup, you know how wild things can get. Parents drive every which way with complete disregard for traffic laws and other people. This kindergarten in Australia had enough of parent shenanigans because they installed a tire spike strip in their drop-off lane. 
When these kindergarten teachers say, “Do not enter,” they mean it. We can only imagine how crazy things must have gotten during pickup and drop-off for this school to take such drastic measures. We’re pretty sure the threat of punctured tires is enough to deter even the rudest parent. Desperate times call for desperate measures. 

#19: An Hourglass Signal

If we’re being honest, this hourglass traffic light looks like a car racing countdown instead of a traffic control tool. We get the idea, though. It’s super helpful to see how much time is left on a light, especially if you’re running late to work. The hourglass shape is a nice, creative touch. 
We can’t help but wonder how accurate the hourglass countdown is. Does it last for the same amount of time during each light? Does it count down yellow lights, too? We have so many questions, but one thing’s for sure. This hourglass design is a fun way to deal with traffic. 

#21: A Street Lamp with Security Cameras

This fake street light in Paris, France, is really doing the most. It’s designed for double duty as a 24/7 surveillance hub while looking like a “normal” street light. If you look closely, the top of the lamp is full of security cameras. What’s more, the bulb that is supposed to be the light is actually another camera. 
That’s right. This “street light” is a fraud. It doesn’t shine any lights for passersby. It just watches. We’re not sure if five cameras in one street light are necessary, but we have to admit that this design is genius. It gets away with looking like a regular old light and doesn’t disrupt the general Parisian aesthetic.

#22: A Bench for Cyclists Waiting at a Red Light

Some European cities are heavy with cyclists on the road. Because cycling is so common, certain cities have inevitably installed gadgets and features that help them easily navigate the city streets. This city installed a large metal contraption that looks confusing at first glance. However, its use is pretty simple.  
The bench with the metal bar above it is for cyclists waiting at a red light. The whole point is for bike riders to rest their feet on the bottom bench part while resting their hands on the bar. Not every cyclist uses this, but it’s a nice feature to include as a way to be more inclusive. 

#24: Bus Incoming Sign

If you ride the bus to work, it seems like one of two things always happens. If you’re not the one running late to catch the bus, then the bus is inevitably running behind schedule. Either way, you still end up late to work. While this gadget won’t solve your chronic tardiness, it at least makes it clear when the bus is nearby. 
This LED sign flashes a “bus is approaching” message when an incoming bus pulls up to the stop. This signage is a great way to indicate to other drivers that the bus will be slowing down. It’s also pretty useful for passengers running to catch the bus because they can see it from a mile away. 

#25: A Crosswalk with Pedestrian Spotlight

The pedestrian is the star of the show in this Belgian crosswalk. According to the signage in this photo, this crosswalk has a special spotlight that lights up when someone is crossing the street. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the spotlight follows you exclusively. The designers really missed an opportunity there.   
In all seriousness, any extra lighting for pedestrians is a good thing. If this light draws attention to a pedestrian in the dark, that’s an extra layer of safety for everyone involved. Even though motorists need to be cautious at all times, that doesn’t always happen. This light helps focus motorists’ attention and makes pedestrians’ actions very obvious. 

#27: A Cozy Bollard

We all know that bollards are a sturdy, noticeable way to demarcate boundaries and control foot traffic. But, sometimes, our beloved bollards need a little makeover. These nifty bollard covers keep the posts cozy and warm by covering them from top to bottom. We’re just kidding. Bollards don’t have any feelings. They don’t care about how they look. 
Although these covers give the bollards a makeover, their real purpose is to make them more noticeable. The bright yellow material draws the eye, making their location very obvious. The best part is that these covers offer a temporary solution for areas that are used for special events that have heavy foot traffic. 

#28: A Digital Smart Parking Meter

Parking meter anxiety is real. If you’ve ever had to park on a metered street, you know how anxiety-inducing it can be to wonder how much time you have left. A parking ticket is the last thing you want! Well, these digital bollards are here to solve all your problems.  
These digital parking meters make it easy to determine how much time is allotted to each car and how much time is left before someone has to leave. You don’t have to run up to the tiny meter to check if it’s red or green. Instead, an easily visible strip of lights at the top lets you know from down the block. If they installed these everywhere, there would probably be a lot fewer parking tickets. 

#30: Bollards That Light Up

Europe really loves their bollards. They’re always experimenting and trying new things with these sturdy sentinels. This crosswalk in the business district of La Défense, France, jazzed up its bollards by making them luminous. The color of the posts changes based on the pedestrian signal color. They’re on 24/7, regardless of whether the sun is out. 
If you look closely, you can see that the red glow of the posts matches the LED crosswalk signal. Pretty neat! This is a nice, accessible touch to a classic crosswalk. On top of that, they made the luminescent bollards look totally classy. Their subtle, modern glow would fit into any futuristic sci-fi city.

#31: Designated Crosswalk for Bikers

France takes city cycling very seriously. So seriously, in fact, they have created special crosswalks just for cyclists. If you take a look at this photo, you’ll notice that the crosswalk is absolutely huge. That’s way more room for pedestrians than any American crosswalk we’ve seen! Way to show off, France.
What’s so neat about this crosswalk is the inclusion of a bike lane. The area for bikes to cross the street is clearly marked with large cyclist symbols. Riders going in different directions even have separate lanes. The more room a city gives pedestrians to move around freely, the safer it is for everyone. 

#33: A Well-Lit Tunnel

There are plenty of poorly lit tunnels. Dark tunnels are pretty scary to drive through. That’s why this vintage photograph of the Tunnel du Mont Blanc from the 1960s is so impressive. The tunnel electricians really went the extra mile when adding light fixtures to this underground passage. 
Every single inch of this tunnel is illuminated by the lights above. There’s no room for mystery, which is just how we like our tunnels. Although we’ve improved our tunnel lighting in recent decades, there’s still a long way to go. All tunnels in the world should aspire to be like the Tunnel du Mont Blanc in France.  

#34: A Road Barrier with Multiple Height Options

Getting drivers to pay attention to height restrictions while driving is always a challenge. This is extremely dangerous because if a truck driver tries to clear a bridge that is too low, they can risk ruining their vehicle and injuring others. This town was sick and tired of taking a subtle approach to height restrictions, so they installed this intense gadget. 
Yup, this town was so fed up with drivers not taking a hint that they installed a solid height barrier. This gadget literally blocks any vehicles from getting through if they are too high off the ground, per the area regulations. We love it when city planners get fed up and make things as obvious as possible. 

#36: Bendable Road Signs

Believe it or not, this sign is bendable. Many road signs are made of material that bends upon impact. This is a valuable safety measure in case of a car accident. The thinking behind using a malleable material is that a car running into something that bends will cause less damage than running into a rigid surface. 
This traffic sign is an example from France, and it looks a little worse for wear. The scratches on this blue and white sign tell us that more than a few motorists may have bumped into this thing. Using bendable material is a good idea for road signs because this special material is durable, long-lasting, and has just the right amount of flexibility. 

#37: Rubber Poles for Bikers and Bicyclists

Rubber poles are increasingly being used as a safety measure to limit the danger for bicyclists and bikers on the roads. These poles act as a barrier, separating bike lanes from vehicle lanes and providing protection against potential accidents. Using rubber poles increases safety and enhances the bike lane’s durability against small impacts.
The rubber material is flexible and can bend under pressure, absorbing the impact of a collision without breaking or causing damage to the surrounding area. Moreover, the bright colors of these poles make them highly visible, alerting drivers to the presence of the bike lane and reducing the risk of accidents.

#39: Road Signs Fixed on Traffic Light Poles

France has implemented an innovative system to improve safety and convenience for cyclists: road signs fixed on traffic light poles that allow bikes to cross a red light in order to follow an arrow. This system is designed to facilitate safer and more efficient bike traffic by giving cyclists a dedicated lane and allowing them to cross intersections more quickly and easily.
The signs display a bike symbol and an arrow, indicating the direction of the bike lane, and are placed at a height that is easily visible to cyclists. By permitting bikes to cross a red light in a controlled manner, this system reduces the risk of accidents and promotes using bicycles as a sustainable mode of transportation. This could serve as a model for other cities prioritizing sustainable transportation options.

#40: An Arrow That Allows Drivers to Proceed Through a Red Light

France has introduced an innovative traffic control measure to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion: the yellow arrow. This arrow allows drivers to proceed through a red light if they are turning in the same direction indicated by the arrow. The yellow arrow system is designed to improve traffic flow by allowing drivers to make turns without having to wait for a green light while still maintaining safety and reducing the risk of accidents.
The yellow arrow is easily visible and provides clear guidance to drivers, making it an effective tool for reducing congestion and improving the efficiency of road networks. This system has been successfully implemented in France and could serve as a model for other cities seeking to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in busy urban areas.

#42: A Modern Height Sensor

This motion height sensor kindly tells drivers when their trucks are too high for an upcoming bridge. If it detects a vehicle over the height limit, a luminous warning light turns on as a warning. This light gadget is a nice way to visually warn truck drivers of impending doom if they continue into the too-short tunnel. 
We’re unsure how effectively this gadget deters truck drivers when driving through town, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Knowing how ridiculous some humans are, we guarantee that multiple drivers still ignore the lights and keep driving, hoping they can clear the tunnel. As we all know, you can’t fight physics. 

#43: Light-Up Street Signs

Street signs that light up at night seem like a given. It’s not like electricity is a new invention, right? However, illuminated, easy-to-read signs like this direction sign in Paris are few and far between. Instead, plenty of cities have regular reflective signs that can be difficult to read in the dark. 
This simple, decades-old invention needs to be more common. The text is large and clear, the colors have high contrast, and the lights make the words easy to read while driving. Installing classy street signs like this is probably pricey, which explains why they’re not more widespread. However, we think it’s a worthy investment. 

#45: Light-Up Crosswalk

Being a pedestrian is already dangerous enough, what with drivers talking on the phone or texting while driving. It gets even more dangerous at night when drivers can’t spot pedestrians.
That’s why this light-up crosswalk is so brilliant. It lights up when people cross, indicating to drivers that someone is crossing the street. What a simple yet genius way to avoid accidents and make sure pedestrians feel safe at all times of day.

#46: Concrete Pipes Given New Life

So many unused materials in the world sit there collecting dust instead of valuable items that were given new life. Seeing as we keep creating new industrial materials for projects that either never get completed or make too many, it’s time we started thinking of ways of recycling such materials.
This is an excellent example of how recycling and reusing industrial materials can look! These large concrete pipes have cool graffiti on the inside and make for a pretty unique and exciting outside dining experience.

#48: Cyclist Bins in Copenhagen

Have you ever been riding your bike and needed to throw something away in the trash? Sure, you might have a basket attached to your bike, or some pockets to put the trash into, but if you could help it, you would probably prefer to be able to throw it away in a bin.
In Denmark, cycling lanes are equipped with bins. Not only are they perched along the path, but they are also slightly inverted so cyclists can accurately aim and dispose of their garbage. Denmark is way ahead of the game with this one!