Pedestrian Countdown system to be trialled at London crossings

Timers to tell passengers how long they have to cross the road.

Pedestrian Countdown systems are to be trialled in London for 18 months, informing pedestrians how long they have to safely cross the road.

The timers will also help keep traffic moving.

Pedestrian Countdown systems have already been successfully used in other world cities.

The digital displays will be installed on traffic signals at eight London junctions and will count down the time between the green man symbol going out and the red man appearing.

A Transport for London (TfL) study of pedestrian behaviour at crossings with signals found that around half of the pedestrians observed crossed even when the red man symbol was displayed and that 60 per cent of pedestrians asked were not aware that the blackout period, as well as the green man phase, is there to allow pedestrians to complete their crossing safely.

TfL and the Department of Transport will look carefully at the results of the trial to see whether Pedestrian Countdown technology could be rolled out to other traffic junctions across London.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: "I want to make London an easier place for everyone to get around whether they are on foot or on wheels."

"We hope this will make London safer for all concerned and smooth the flow of traffic to help keep London, and its inhabitants, moving."

Further information:
Transport for London