Traffic signals frequently asked questions

• Why do some pedestrian crossings have ‘bleepers’ and some not?
• Why do some pedestrian crossings not have a red and green man visible on the opposite sides of the crossing?
• At pedestrian crossings why does the ‘green man’ time seem so short?
• Why do so many roundabouts have traffic signals when they appear to work better without them?
• Why do I sit waiting at a red signal when there are no opposing vehicles?
• I have seen traffic signals with right turn arrows that never seem to appear. Why is this?

Why do some pedestrian crossings have ‘bleepers’ and some not?

At ‘stand alone’ crossings bleepers are always used. With ‘staggered’ crossings, ie crossings where a road is crossed in two movements, the crossings can operate at different times which, if equipped with bleepers, may cause confusion to visually impaired pedestrians due to the close proximity of the crossings. Instead, all new crossings are equipped with tactile signals: cone shaped knobs located beneath the push button boxes which rotate when the green man appears thus giving an indication that it is safe to cross.

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Why do some pedestrian crossings not have a red and green man visible on the opposite sides of the crossing?

This is a new type of crossing known as a puffin crossing. For further information view our pedestrian crossings page which contains a leaflet on how to use puffin crossings.

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At pedestrian crossings why does the ‘green man’ time seem so short?

The green man period is purely your invitation to cross at the crossing and is not meant to be long enough to complete the crossing manoeuvre. Depending on the type of crossing, time is given to allow you to clear before traffic gets a green. For example, the flashing green man at a pelican crossing gives ample time to clear.

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Why do so many roundabouts have traffic signals when they appear to work better without them?

Traffic signals can be installed at roundabouts for a number of reasons:

• to improve safety by reducing vehicle conflicts
• to provide priority to minor arms and improve queue balance
• to provide pedestrian/cycle facilities

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Why do I sit waiting at a red signal when there are no opposing vehicles?

There are two reasons. Many traffic signals run ‘fixed time plans' to enable a number of closely situated junctions to be co-ordinated. At busy times this may not be apparent but off peak it becomes more noticeable. Alternatively, there may be a vehicle detector fault on the other approach causing it to ‘extend’ the green time unnecessarily. This will be more noticeable at night or during the early hours of the morning. If you think there may be a detector fault please contact the Traffic Control Room on 01752 305555.

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I have seen traffic signals with right turn arrows that never seem to appear. Why is this?

These are known as right turn indicative arrows and are programmed to appear only when there is a sufficient queue of right turning vehicles waiting on a sensor loop in the road to trigger their appearance. Junctions with this arrangement should be negotiated like any other junction, ie right turning vehicles should move forward of the stop line waiting in the junction for an adequate gap to appear in the opposing traffic. If the green arrow does not appear and the lights turn to red there will be sufficient time complete the right turn manoeuvre if the stop line has been crossed.

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