Guiding Principles Grade-separated Crossings At-grade Pedestrian Crossings Electronic Audible Traffic Signal Smart Device
for the Elderly and
the Disabled
Pilot Real-time
Adaptive Traffic
Signal System
Auxiliary Devices to Enhance Pedestrians' Safety at Road Crossings



1.   Introduction

With the penetration of handheld smart devices, pedestrians using signalised crossings are more prone to pay more concentrations on their mobile devices with their heads nodding downwards, and less attention to the traffic signals. To draw pedestrians' awareness of the traffic signal and upkeep safety at the crossings, we have launched a trial in July 2022 by installing auxiliary devices at 4 locations with signalised crossings to remind pedestrians not to cross the road when the "red man" is lit.
   
Pedestrian focus on smartphone with red light cast at night  Effect at daytime

2.   Components of the auxiliary device

(i) LED light module
(ii) Extension arm from traffic signal pole for mounting

Closeup of auxiliary device


3.   LED light module

The module projects red light onto the pedestrian waiting area of a crossing when the "red man" is lit. The red light reflects from the ground or mobile device could serve to remind the pedestrians regarding the "red man" of the traffic signal, in particular when their heads are nodding down looking at the mobile devices.

4.   Extension arm

The arm extends horizontally from the traffic signal pole and mounts the LED light module at its far end. It serves to provide better coverage of red light onto the pedestrian waiting area.


5.   Characteristics (How it works)


  Pedestrian waiting under auxiliary device   Pedestrian crossing with green light


6. Trial and effectiveness

The following locations have been selected to install the auxiliary devices for trial. We have also engaged a professional team from the University of Hong Kong to evaluate the effectiveness of the auxiliary devices. The evaluation result reveals a positive effect after the installation of auxiliary devices, with the overall proportion of red-light running by pedestrians at crossings reduced by about a quarter.

Location

Site features

Number of crossings

Percival Street / Foo Ming Street Shopping malls, restaurants, MTR stations and tram stops nearby 1
Tsuen Wan Market Street (near Yan Chai Hospital) Shopping malls, restaurants, hospitals and markets nearby 1

Sha Tin Centre Street (near Sha Tin Central Bus Terminus)

Shopping malls, bus terminals, schools and residential areas nearby

3

Waterloo Road / Hereford Road

Schools, university and residential areas nearby

2


7. Roll-out plan


To align with the strategies of improving pedestrian facilities and ensuring road safety under the Task Force on District Governance, the Transport Department is working with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department to install auxiliary devices which projects red light at signalised crossings in about 100 locations across various districts, including black sites or a higher number of vehicle to pedestrian collisions in the past. The installation works have commenced in November 2023 and is anticipated to complete by end of 2024.