New System Designed to Save Pedestrian Lives

    SILVER SPRING, Md.--Feb. 3, 2003--OPTIMUS Corporation, a leader in public safety technology, today announced that it has been awarded a Federal Highway Administration research grant to develop a Pedestrian Alert System (PAS) to help advance the safety of pedestrian crossings.
    According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration more than 4,000 pedestrians were killed by automobiles in the United States in 2000 alone, representing an average of 12 deaths and 214 injuries per day, underscoring the need for a Pedestrian Alert System. An Infiniti Q45 will be used for prototype development and testing of the PAS, which will utilize Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to alert drivers and pedestrians about "warning zones" at crossings.
    The Pedestrian Alert System, for which initial proof of concept research has been completed, will include both a pedestrian and vehicle module, each equipped with a GPS receiver and corresponding radio transmitter. Information about the pedestrian's position and velocity will be rapidly broadcast from a watch-like device, with any necessary, corresponding warnings quickly relayed to the automobile operator and potentially affected pedestrian. The system will provide a minimum of three seconds warning, function in all weather, and a participating driver will be capable of mutually tracking forty or more pedestrians.
    In addition, the system's digital format will be compatible with any type of user interface including visual, audible or tactile. OPTIMUS is working with numerous government agencies and groups concerned about citizen safety for deployment of the system, particularly those representing such high-risk parties as highway workers, children, the elderly and individuals with disabilities, including visual impairments.
    "Pedestrian safety in crosswalks is becoming a growing concern due to rapidly increasing population densities in our metropolitan centers, and clearly we need the Pedestrian Alert system to help reduce the unacceptable number of accidents involving pedestrians," according to Eric Adolphe, CEO of OPTIMUS Corporation. "We extend our thanks to Nissan for its gracious contribution to this program, which reaffirms OPTIMUS Corporation's clear focus on technology that not only enhances the quality of life, but helps keep people safer."
    The Pedestrian Alert System is part of a comprehensive suite of innovative, customer-driven public safety technology products delivered by OPTIMUS that lessen the burdens on Governments, enhance citizen safety, and break down communication barriers. With these products, personnel can easily use handhelds, wireless laptops, and other mobile technologies to make critical decisions more effectively.
    And, with the integration of Geospatial Information System (GIS) - based data display and reporting tools, users can collaborate and communicate with significantly increased levels of efficiency. OPTIMUS products are highly secure, user-friendly, and based on open computing and databasing standards.

    About OPTIMUS Corporation

    OPTIMUS Corporation enhances public safety and quality of life through innovative, customer-driven solutions. OPTIMUS products and services increase efficiency while reducing transaction costs, enabling governments and organizations to significantly improve service delivery. Since 1992, OPTIMUS has been helping to ensure public safety and our nation's vital infrastructure.
    OPTIMUS has provided tools and services in mission critical environments at the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Defense, District of Columbia Government, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, NASA, and others. For more information, visit www.optimuscorp.com.