Transport for London (TfL) has installed traffic signals which prioritise pedestrians over cars, as part of its drive to become the world’s most walkable city.
Some 18 pedestrian crossings will be fitted with ‘Green Person Authority’ technology that programmes the signals to show a continuous ‘green person’ signal until traffic approaches.
‘Green Person Authority’ signals have now been installed at seven locations in Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hounslow, Richmond and Hillingdon and will be deployed at a further 11 locations over the coming weeks.
Will Norman, London’s walking and cycling commissioner, said: “Walking has so many benefits – it doesn’t just enable us to get from A to B, but also improves our mental and physical health.
“We know that safety is a key concern for people walking around London, and giving pedestrians priority is a powerful way of putting them first and making it easier to cross London’s roads.
“By combining this with creating extra pavement space and ensuring roadworks are carried out in a way that doesn’t disrupt Londoners, we will make our city the world’s most walkable and eradicate collisions on our streets.”
TfL will work to identify new locations where ‘Green Person Authority’ crossings can be introduced, with the aim of increasing their number over the coming years.
The operator added, the number of journeys made on foot increased from 35% of journeys to almost 50% last year, it hopes the new traffic signals will further enable people to travel around the capital this way.
Nick Owen, TfL’s head of network performance, added: “We know that walking is a brilliant way for people to make local journeys, boosting activity levels while cutting the number of car trips and the associated congestion and pollution they can cause.
“We’re determined to make it easier for people to cross the road and to give people the space they need to walk safely, and these initiatives will make a difference in enabling more people to access local high streets, shops and other businesses in a sustainable way.”
