A pedestrian detection system offers more protection than a blue light alone, because it senses the person and warns the operator, while a blue light only signals to people on foot that a truck is approaching. A blue spot works when a pedestrian is looking, is not distracted and the floor is not too bright; it detects nothing and cannot alert the driver. A detection system warns the operator, and on compatible forklifts can slow the truck. The two are not exclusive: many sites fit lights as an inexpensive warning layer and add detection where blind corners and heavy foot traffic call for it.
The full guide is forklift blue lights, explained. Neither is required by OSHA 1910.178, which places the duty on the operator to slow down, sound the horn at cross aisles and keep a clear view of the path of travel.
Lights help most at rack ends and doorways, where a pedestrian would otherwise see nothing until the truck appears. Detection matters most where the operator cannot see: reversing, carrying bulky loads or crossing a blind intersection. Check whether a detection system warns the pedestrian too, and how often it alerts in normal work, since constant alerts get ignored.