Forestchook Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Does anybody else dislike the new puffin crossings? I look across the road for the greenman not sideways . Also, if anybody else is waiting to cross the road too, it means you cannot see if the greenman is lit up because they are in the way! What was wrong with the old pelican crossings anyway? N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Puffin crossings are brilliant! They have sensors in the ground which detect if people have finished crossing or not (if they havent finished crossing the light stays red) they also detect if the button has been pushed but there is no one waiting (so the light stays green). The red and green man are positioned on the same side so you can see the traffic and see if it has actually stopped when the green man is showing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forestchook Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 They have sensors in the ground which detect if people have finished crossing or not (if they havent finished crossing the light stays red) they also detect if the button has been pushed but there is no one waiting (so the light stays green). Okay thats quite clever but they could fit them on pelican crossings. The red and green man are positioned on the same side so you can see the traffic and see if it has actually stopped when the green man is showing. Nice theory. However that only serves the traffic coming on your side of the road. What about traffic coming the other way? What about at junctions where traffic can come from side roads and/or around corners? I watch to see if the traffic has stopped but then look for the greenman to confirm I'm alright to cross (still watching out for drivers that may be ignoring signals). Having grown up with Pelican crossings I look accross the road not sideways. Often the puffin signals are positioned and/or angled incorrectly so you have to move or step back to see the greenman. Also, as previously mentioned if they are other people at the crossing you cannot see if the light has changed! That could not happen with the pelican crossing signals. Sorry Fred, I don't think you will convince me. N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Okay thats quite clever but they could fit them on pelican crossings. It wouldn't be a pelican crossing if it had the sensors.Nice theory. However that only serves the traffic coming on your side of the road. What about traffic coming the other way? Its not a theory, its what the Department for Transport say in their book for installing puffin crossings (why I was reading that I don't know ), it also says that having the red/green man on the same side helps the visually impaired. By the looks of things, pelican crossings are being taken out and puffin crossings put in their place. So you will have to get used to them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Never heard of these - thought it was about those cute little birds with lovely colourful beaks you see on cliffs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfer_chicken Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I hate them too I also get caught out when they don't beep when the green man shows up, because I'm used to looking around for cars and crossing when it beeps instead of staring at the signal box. I also thought this was needed for the blind? It seems like all the new one being installed in my area don't do this anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forestchook Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 Its not a theory, its what the Department for Transport say in their book for installing puffin crossings Sorry that doesn't convince me either. However, I did find this on the DoT website ( yes I know) "The research indicates that pedestrians fail to understand the real benefits of the Puffin crossing and their behaviour is not effected by this type of signal installation." and "Pedestrian willingness to cross on red is slightly higher at Puffin crossing facilities than at any of the other situations considered. " (http://www.dft.gov.uk/rmd/project.asp?intProjectID=12600) Sound to me like they are not working out so well! As such while I like the sound of the sensors I'm sticking with my 'nice theory' regarding the position of the actual signals! Alis girls, they are the new ones where the signals are to the side. I thought they were just a new style of Pelican crossing to start with. Can't remember where I heard they were 'Puffins' instead. Surfer_chicken, I'm glad I'm not the only one who does not like them. By the looks of things, pelican crossings are being taken out and puffin crossings put in their place. So you will have to get used to them.... Sigh, yes I know but I reserve the right to complain about them N Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 With farside pedestrian signals, pedestrians have to look away from approaching traffic to see the pedestrian signal. When pedestrians look at a nearside Puffin pedestrian display they are also aware of approaching traffic. Seeing the approaching traffic and the pedestrian display at the same time should help to reduce accident risk. The full publication can be found here I reserve the right to complain about them Quite right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forestchook Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 Now look what you made me do: leaving work tonight I stopped to see if the light did turn red after the the last person was off the crossing Yes it did! Wandered off thinking the sensors are indeed pretty clever. Then started wondering how long you could keep the light on green by say, stopping on the crossing.... Now wondering if they have a time limit because otherwise they will cause major traffic snarl ups in busy pedestrian areas. Kinda want to test them. I need help! The lights are still in the wrong place though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
