A review into traffic signal improvement at pedestrian signalised crossings

Abstract

Signalised pedestrian crossings on busy urban street are used to facilitate the time-sharing of road space between vehicles and pedestrians so that pedestrians can cross the road safely. Puffin crossing is the most recent signalised crossings in UK. The operation of Puffin signal control is mainly based on traffic condition hence could impose longer waiting time on pedestrian. Therefore there is a need to review the operation of the signal control strategy of Puffin crossings to make it more pedestrian responsive without imposing significant delay to other road users. This requires the development of a conceptual model of new signal control strategy. Upstream Detection strategy has been identified as one of the potential alternatives that might enhance pedestrian amenity at signalised crossings. In the Upstream Detection strategy, detection is located at an upstream location of the crossing, so that the pedestrian demand can be registered earlier rather than waiting at the kerbside. Therefore, pedestrian does not need to arrive at the kerbside to activate the demand as in the normal operation of Puffin crossings. By doing so, pedestrian delay can be minimised. Therefore, this paper is intended to provide some insight into traffic signal improvement at pedestrian crossings, so that, it will be more pedestrian friendly without imposing significant interruption to vehicles. This paper seeks to explore the development of Upstream Detection strategy at Puffin crossings and its potential benefits. At this stage, Upstream Detection strategy has not yet been evaluated to explain specific findings of the strategy.