Inflatable Crossing Guard

While on the way to work today, I saw 2 crossing guards (elderly volunteers, bless'em) walk out into traffic waving flags to bring traffic to a stop so children could cross a busy road on the way to school. This is very effective as a human shape standing in front of cars is much more likely to stop traffic than just flashing lights etc.

Unfortunately, the human cost having of thousands of people, whether paid or volunteers, coming out of their homes twice a day in all kinds of weather to perform this service is obviously significant. They are also risking their necks by being the first ones to step into traffic. I propose designing a pneumatically powered device which, when a button is pressed, unrolls out into the street like a party noisemaker and pops up one of those ripstop nylon inflatable advertising human figures which wave about wildly. After the requisite amount of time passes, it deflates and rolls back up again into its box waiting for the next batch of pedestrians.

This wouldn't negate the requirement for human judgement and the decision-making skills needed to handle very young children or extremely busy highways, but would form the 2nd tier of pedestrian crossings which aren't able to get human crossing guards but should have more than just a flashing light system. The figures could be illuminated internally and, if you wish, could even make the party noisemaker noise while in operation. (Corporate sponsorship opportunities abound)