Trials for ground-breaking new detection technology have been showcased as part of Transport for London’s (Tfl) draft Pedestrian Safety Action Plan.

By the end of the decade, the Tfl are aiming for a 40% drop of people killed or seriously injured on their roads. To make this happen, Mayor Boris Johnson and the Tfl have announced a spectrum of thirty different ideas to improve safety in the nation’s capital.

The plans outline trials of optical and radar-based detection software on London buses, to discover if this technology could reduce collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. If this proves successful over the summer, the detection software may be installed on 8,700 of London buses.

Click here to get a full view of these emerging technologies in the 'Pedestrian Safety Action Plan'.

Mr Johnson, said: “We've made some great strides in improving road safety in recent years, and although things are moving in the right direction there is still much to be done which is why we are working hard to deliver innovative measures - such as these ground-breaking bus technology trials – to ensure that we make our roads as safe as possible for everyone.”

There are also proposals to double the number of pedestrian crossings using the newly approved countdown timer by 2016; a ‘gold standard’ is also to be pursued for all crossings.

This new design guidance for safe walking environments in London could also pave the way for all TfL funded street and public realm schemes.

Managing director of Surface Transport, Leon Daniels, said: “These forthcoming trials of innovative pedestrian detection on London Buses, as well as the publication of our draft Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, will build on the huge reductions in serious injuries we have seen in the last decade and demonstrate our commitment to making London’s streets safe for all.”