New ‘intelligent’ crossing switched on in Finaghy
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has switched on a new ‘intelligent’ Puffin Crossing in Finaghy.
The pedestrian crossing is of the latest user friendly type and the design is distinct in that the lights controlling the pedestrians are on the near side of the road, rather than on the opposite side as in the older pelican crossings. The system also utilises sensors which detect the presence of pedestrians waiting at the crossing, and as they are crossing the road.
Unlike the older pelican crossing designs, where the pedestrian signal lights are mounted on the opposite side of the road, the puffin crossing has them mounted at the near road side, set diagonally to the road edge. This allows the pedestrian to monitor passing traffic while waiting for the signal to cross.