Cycling UK Forum

What is the point of puffin pedestrian crossings?
Being able to see the green man on the opposite side as you cross a pelican/toucan crossing is reassuring.

There seems no adbvantage in mounting the red green man beside the push to cross button and a large disadvantage in that there is no confirmation as you cross.

Hi there

In answer to your question about puffin crossings and what is the point - well, the lights that show at the crossing for the pedestrian im not 100% sure about, but:

Puffin crossings are actually better, safer for the pedestrian and can also help keep traffic moving better than pelican crssings

Puffin = pedestrian user friendly (puf)

when the light change to red for the road, the pedestrians are on green and cross -

1, the lights wont change to the road until there are no pedestrians on the crossing - this is done and detected by cameras mounted above.
2, once the crossing is clear of pedestrians, the lights dont go to flashing amber, as a pelican crossing does, which takes the responsibilty from the driver a little as to whether to decide to proceed through or not, eg a pedestrian at the side - does the driver know it is totally safe to proceed, or not
3. if only one, or a quick pedestrian crosses due to the camera sensor the lights will then change back to red/amber then green quicker - as it is clear quicker - which of course means the traffic doesnt have to wait as long as a pre set time at a pelican crossing

i will look at the pedestrian lights another time - when ive looked in to it

Hope that helps you decide whether puffin / toucan crossings are any good, or pointless

cheers

stan