Pedestrian crossings
Pedestrian crossings are provided to assist residents and
visitors to Sefton. They are located at sites where there are high
volumes of traffic and pedestrians and are provided to give
people a safe place to cross.
As part of our Capital Programme we generally install or
upgrade several pedestrian crossings, (ie. zebra or signalled
crossings) each year. Requests are often made by residents and each
is examined on its individual merits. Many requests are not
justified because of low levels of pedestrian movement.
Before the start of each financial year, all sites which have
been requested by residents are surveyed to assess the volume of
traffic and number of pedestrians crossing the road. This is used
to prioritise sites to ensure that the sites with the highest
traffic and pedestrian volumes are dealt with first.
Frequently asked questions
What factors are taken into
consideration?
The following factors are taken into
consideration in assessing the need for a crossing :
- The recorded personal injury accidents involving
pedestrians.
- The volumes of vehicular and pedestrian traffic and
the potential for conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.
- The percentage of child, infirm or elderly
pedestrians crossing the road.
- The difficulty that pedestrians face from traffic
speed and volumes.
- The length of time pedestrians have to wait before
they can cross.
- Proximity of locations which attract pedestrian
activity through the day , eg. proximity to stations.
What are the different types of
pedestrian crossing?
Within Sefton we have a number of
different pedestrian crossings. Each type has its advantages and
disadvantages. Each type is listed below:
Zebra crossing
This is the oldest type of crossing,
and has the black and white stripes on the carriageway and flashing
orange belisha beacons. It is normally used where traffic and
pedestrian volumes are low. Pedestrians must establish their
presence by waiting at the edge of the crossing and waiting for the
traffic to stop for them. The disadvantage of this type of crossing
is the fact that some drivers are reluctant to stop for
pedestrians, and it is harder for pedestrians with visual
impairments to use it.
Pelican crossing
These signalled crossings are used
on roads which have high traffic volumes, high traffic approach
speeds or very high pedestrian flows. Pedestrians are required to
push a button to bring the traffic to a halt. The time
allocated for pedestrian crossing movement is dictated by
Department for Transport guidelines and is based upon the width of
the road. This time is fixed, regardless of the number of
pedestrians crossing. The advantage to this type of crossing is
that drivers have a clear instruction, via the red signal, to stop.
The disadvantage is that pedestrians will often push the button and
then either cross in a gap in traffic, or continue walking down the
road. The sequence of lights will continue, bringing traffic to a
halt, without anybody crossing.
Puffin crossings
These are a variation on a Pelican
crossing and have a series of infra-red detectors. Firstly, these
detect whether there is a pedestrian waiting, once they have
pressed the button. If they have moved off, the sequence is
cancelled, and the traffic continues unhindered. Secondly, they
detect pedestrian movement in the centre of the road so that if
there are slow moving pedestrians still crossing, the
pedestrian time is increased and the traffic signal remains on red
to allow them to cross safely.
Toucan crossing
These are basically the same as a
Puffin crossing, but are wider to allow cyclists and pedestrians to
cross together. They are used on designated cycle routes which
cross main roads.
Are they accessible for people with
disabilities?
All new crossings are fully
accessible for people with disabilities.
This includes tactile paving, flush
kerbs, rotating cones underneath push buttons, and where
applicable, audible bleepers.
How many new crossings are provided
each year?
Each year, from the dedicated
Pedestrian Crossing financial allocation, we will install an
average of two new Puffin crossings and provide new pedestrian
phases at one existing traffic signal controlled
junction.
In addition to this, other parts of
the Capital Programme, such as cycling or public
transport, may fund additional crossings if they can be
identified as being beneficial to those programmes. Examples
of this could be: providing Toucans on cycle routes, or Puffins to
assist bus passengers at interchanges.
How much does a crossing cost?
During 2003, the average cost of
providing a Puffin crossing on a single carriageway road was
approximately £40,000
Last Updated on 3/14/2013