The traffic light's 150th: TfL changes in favour of pedestrians

11/12/2018 | CHRIS AMES

Transport for London (TfL) is marking the 150th anniversary of the world's first traffic light by highlighting how it makes signal controlled crossings better for pedestrians.

The original traffic light was installed outside the Houses of Parliament in 1868 to help people cross the road safely. The railway style gas-powered six-metre signal was removed after a month, when a policeman was seriously injured in a gas explosion and traffic lights did not return to the capital until 1926.

TfL is currently working on reducing waiting times and providing more opportunities to cross the road, particularly near schools, shopping centres and transport hubs, in order to save 15,000 hours every day for walkers, cyclists and bus passengers.

The authority said this will help reduce road collisions as part of the mayor and TfL's 'Vision Zero' work to eradicate death and serious injury from the roads. As around 85% of pedestrians cross within 30 seconds of arriving at a crossing, reducing wait times ‘where possible’ encourages people to wait for the green man, TfL said.

Highways understands that the changes include shortening the time between pressing the button and a green man phase both where there is no minimum interval between green man phases and where there is a minimum interval.

In the latter case, shortening wait times could have implications for traffic flow, if traffic is stopped more frequently, as will allowing pedestrians to bring forward crossing phases where facilities fall within traffic phases at junctions.

Changes also include improving the link between the timings where crossings are split into two, to avoid pedestrians having to wait in the middle island.

TfL said it recently worked with charity Living Streets to review 12 crossings in London, ‘saving people crossing an average 29 seconds each time’. Following the retiming work, volunteers from Living Streets spoke to nearly 4,000 people and found that most had noticed and welcomed the change. One comment was that the ‘lights have changed in favour of pedestrians’.

Richard Lambert, London manager at Living Streets, said: 'More time to cross at light-controlled crossings and shorter waiting times can help people walking feel safer on our streets and not like they come second best to traffic.

'It's hard to know which places need better crossings; that's why it's important to engage with local residents to identify issues.'

TfL said it reviews 1,200 traffic lights across London each year, adding that its Walking Action Plan, which was published earlier this year and outlines how London will become 'the world's most walkable city', includes green man authority, a signalling technique that gives pedestrians priority by lighting the red man only when an approaching vehicle is detected.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness 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