London trials Pedestrian Countdown technology

Date: 22/6/2010

Pedestrians in London could benefit from new countdown technology unveiled this week by Mayor Boris Johnson.

According to Transport for London (TfL), the system is incorporated into traffic signals at eight junctions - including one at Oxford Circus and Blackfriars Road - in the capital and is aimed at showing people how much time they have to cross the road.

The information appears on a digital display, counting down the time between the green man symbol disappearing and the red man going on.

Commenting on the news, Mr Johnson stated: "We hope this will make London safer for all concerned and smooth the flow of traffic to help keep London - and its inhabitants - moving."

The Pedestrian Countdown technology will be trialled in the city for 18 months, but is expected to make a big impact following its success in other locations around the world and a TfL study that showed more than 50 per cent of pedestrians cross while the red man is showing.

Posted by Mary Treen