Sean Hodge's Gold Medal Winning Innovation Could Save Lives

The number of pedestrian crosswalk accidents that happen annually could decrease significantly if Sean Hodge’s surface illuminated pedestrian crosswalk design were to be put to use one day.

The Bergen County Technical School student from Hasbrouck Heights, along with his teammate Nick Maurin of Wood-Ridge, earned a gold medal in the technological category in the New Jersey SkillsUSA Championship competition for their design.

The Board of Education welcomed Hodge and his parents Peter and Kim to their public meeting Thursday night where they presented the teen with a certificate in honor of his achievement.

Hodge brought along a display of the invention which everyone quickly gathered around to see. He explained the design uses induction lighting, a new form of technology. The actual lighting mechanism goes underneath the ground about a foot or so below, he explained.

Hodge said the idea for this design came from their observation that there isn’t enough lighting near crosswalks in Wood-Ridge, where his teammate Maurin resides. According to the students’ research, 4,784 people are killed in crosswalk accidents yearly and their design could reduce that number significantly.

Kim Hodge said her son is studying electrical design at Bergen County Tech and has plans to become an electrical engineer.

Hodge and Maurin demonstrated their innovation among 1,600 participants in the New Jersey SkillsUSA contest last month.