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Traffic Light Controlled Junction
A controlled junction is a location where vehicles on conflicting approaches are controlled by traffic signals, normally where the traffic flow is heavy and there is likely to be a large number of pedestrians.Sometimes there is a small camera on top of the signal pole. The camera is called a microwave vehicle detector - its purpose is to monitor the traffic flow at this junction.
A stop line detector loop may be cut into the road surface where cars stop waiting for the signals to change. These detectors help the signals respond to the changing flow of traffic throughout the day.
Pelican
The name pelican is made up of the beginning letters from 'Pedestrian Light Controlled', with the 'o' changed to an 'a' so it has the same spelling as the bird.
The use of animal symbols began in 1951 with the introduction of 'zebra' crossings. The pelican is the old fashioned pedestrian crossing facility which includes the flashing amber traffic light and flashing green man.
Although still being installed in the some areas, this type of crossing is likely to be phased out in the future. An example of a pelican, zebra and puffin crossing can be found in the Highway Code.
At the pelican crossing the traffic lights instruct the traffic when to stop and pedestrians when to cross.
When the red figure shows, do not cross.
Press the button on the box and wait.
When the steady green figure shows, check the traffic has stopped and cross with care.
If the green figure starts flashing as you are crossing, continue walking over the road.
Do not start to cross when the green figure is flashing because there is not sufficient time to cross.
Puffin (Pedestrian User-Friendly Intelligent Crossing)
The puffin pedestrian crossing facility is gradually replacing pelican crossings. This type of crossing is designed to be 'user friendly' and safer than the old pelican by eliminating the 'flashing amber' period thereby removing the ambiguity from drivers and pedestrians by varying the length of crossing time to suit high or low volumes of pedestrians or slow moving pedestrians.
To drivers, the puffin appears similar to normal traffic signals; it changes from green to amber then to red and eventually to red/amber and finally back to green.
For pedestrians, the green man appears for a few seconds but as pedestrians step onto the road, overhead infra-red or video imaging cameras control the length of time available to pedestrians.
An additional overhead detector monitors waiting pedestrians, if an only pedestrian decides not to cross and walks away, the demand will automatically be cancelled. This makes the puffin more efficient for traffic and for pedestrians.
Toucan (Two-Can Cross)
A toucan crossing caters for cyclists as well as pedestrians.
The only obvious difference between this type of crossing and a puffin is the width of the crossing.
The crossing is wide to cater for cycles and has an additional green cycle optic on the signals next to the green man.
Pegasus
A Pegasus is a pedestrian and horse crossing facility which has taller poles and extra push button boxes mounted high on the pole for horse riders.
Pegasus crossings are fairly uncommon, but a few examples of where they can be found are:
Benton Lane
Killingworth Way
Middle Engine Lane
Silver Fox Way in North Tyneside