TfL to carry out world’s first trial of “intelligent” pedestrian crossing

07/03/2014 | HIGHWAYS REPORTERS

New pedestrian technology that is designed to make crossing the road easier and safer is set to be trialled for the first time ever by Transport for London (TfL).

Trials of the “intelligent” pedestrian crossings will start in the summer. The Pedestrian Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique, or ‘pedestrian SCOOT’, is the first of its kind in the world and uses state-of-the-art video camera technology to automatically detect how many pedestrians are waiting at crossings. It enables the adjustment of traffic signal timings automatically to extend the green pedestrian invitation to cross phase when large numbers of people are waiting, allowing more people to cross the road.

In addition, TfL is developing a ‘call cancel’ technology, which can detect when a pedestrian who has pushed the crossing button has either crossed before the signal goes green or walks away, and therefore cancels the pedestrian crossing phase.

TfL is aiming to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on London’s roads by 40% by 2020. This latest initiative follows on from TfL’s successful development of Pedestrian Countdown technology, which tells pedestrians how long they still have left to cross the road once the green pedestrian phase has gone out. Around 550 pedestrian crossings at 200 locations across 30 London boroughs have now been equipped with Pedestrian Countdown, with TfL committed to install the technology out more widely across the capital in the coming years.

The forthcoming trials are also an early example of how TfL will use innovation to change the management of London’s road network to better reflect the character of the local area, which was one of the key recommendations in the Mayor’s Roads Task Force which was published in July 2013.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “I am delighted that London is the first city in the world to be trialling this cutting-edge equipment, which will benefit pedestrians across the city. This really is a fantastic example of how London is leading the way by using 21st century technology to help make it easier for people to get around our great city. Innovation like this is key to keeping London moving efficiently and making our roads safer for everyone to use.”

Leon Daniels, managing director of surface transport, added: “We are fully committed to improving road safety for all road users across London, especially pedestrians. These new trials of pedestrian detection technology will allow our traffic signals to become even more intelligent, bringing huge benefits to those waiting to cross the road where there is heavy pedestrian demand.”

The first trials of pedestrian SCOOT will take place on crossings outside Balham and Tooting Bec Underground stations this summer to allow TfL to fully test the pedestrian sensors and how they interact with the existing vehicle SCOOT system.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Parking Officer

£38934 - £40755 per annum + n/a
Senior Parking Officer (Business Team) About Us Our Greenwich Plan sets out our vision for the next 4 years focusing on the changes we collectively wa England, London, Woolwich
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Parking Design Engineer

£34416 - £44331 per annum
Parking Design Engineer (Career Graded SC6-PO2) About Us Our Greenwich Plan sets out our vision for the next 4 years focusing on the changes we colle England, London, Woolwich
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Bexley is an outer London Borough with the best of both worlds. Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Head of Highways Services

Level 14
North Somerset Council
Recruiter: North Somerset Council

Principal Transportation & Infrastructure Planner

£54889.0000 - £64576.0000 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
The Opportunity The Principal Transportation and Infrastructure Planner engages with strategic partners, to devise and co-ordinate land use transpo England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Mechanic (LCV/LGV) x2

£33,366 – £35,235
We are seeking a suitably qualified and experienced, LCV/LGV Mechanic Accrington, Lancashire
Recruiter: Hyndburn Borough Council

Engineer, Highways Asset Maintenance CDC

Grade 9, £38,653 - £42,728
City of Doncaster employs around 4,300 staff, who work together with Team Doncaster partners Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Head of Fleet and Depot Services

Circa £80,000
It couldn’t be a better time to join Merton Council. Merton, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Merton

Fleet Officer

£34,416 - £35,448
We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Fleet Officer to join our team. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Team Leader LGV Driver

£27,711 - £30,559, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Team Leader LGV Driver (Seasonal Post)

£20,783.25 - £22,919.25, Grade 6, 27.25 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Network Manager

Grade 14, £56,385 to £60,592 per annum
Ready for your next big challenge in highways management? Isle of Wight
Recruiter: Isle of Wight Council

Transport Strategy Officer

Grade 12, £45,647 to £47,966 per annum
The council are looking for a Transport Strategy Officer who will play a leading role in what is both locally and nationally a very dynamic area. Isle of Wight
Recruiter: Isle of Wight Council

Highway Asset Officer (Design/Delivery)

£34,314 - £37,938 per annum
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? Devon
Recruiter: Devon County Council

Trainee Sign Shop Technician

£25998 - £31469
Job TitleTrainee Sign Shop Tec... Wandsworth, London, UK
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Senior Highways Technician x 2 positions - WMF1684e

£33,366 - £34,314
We are looking for strong communicators, as you will provide advice and guidance to colleagues. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Programme Control Officer - Capital Programmes - WMF1686e

£37,035 - £37,938
The Programme Control Officer role will mainly be focussed on managing and controlling a wide variety of programme delivery information. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Officer - South

G7
Lincolnshire County Council
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Assistant Highways Officer - South

£26,409 - £29,093
Lincolnshire County Council would like to know how you feel about potholes! Lincolnshire / South
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Assistant Highways Officer - West

£26,409 - £29,093
Lincolnshire County Council would like to know how you feel about potholes! Lincolnshire / West
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW