Puffin crossing
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A puffin crossing (pedestrian user-friendly interface) is a type of pedestrian crossing in use in the United Kingdom.
It differs from a pelican crossing in that the lights controlling the pedestrians are on the near side of the road, rather than on the opposite side, and the existence of an extra detector for pedestrians, either on-crossing or kerb-side. The reasoning for the positioning of the pedestrian controlling lights on the same side as the pedestrian is to make it easier for pedestrians to watch the lights and the traffic at the same time, although it is debatable whether this aim is achieved. It also assists visually impaired people. To aid visually-impaired people, some push button units (the lower box in the picture) are also fitted with a tactile knob under the unit which rotates when the green man is illuminated.
An on-crossing detector will ensure that the signal for vehicles remains red until the pedestrians have finished crossing (within practical limits). A kerb-side detector will cancel the pedestrian demand should the pedestrian move away from the kerb side, when the pedestrian is crossing in a gap, does not use the crossing, or is waiting outside of the detection area.
See pelican crossing for basic information.
[edit] References
- The History of British Roadsigns, Dept. for Transport, 2nd Edition, 1999
