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It is particularly important when siting a crossing to ensure that pedestrians
are able to see, and be seen by, approaching traffic. Trees, street furniture,
parked cars, etc. must not obstruct visibility. If it is not possible to resite
the crossing to avoid such obstacles the obstacle should be resited or removed
and a Traffic Regulation Order imposed.
Signal controlled crossings are those where both vehicles and pedestrians are
positively controlled by lights, including Pelican, Puffin and Toucan crossings.
The design of these and other types of non-signal controlled
crossings is covered in Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions
(DETR) Local Transport Note 2/95.
Crossings should be located away from conflict points so that drivers are aware
of the crossing and are able to react and, if necessary, brake in time.
They should be kept a "safe" distance from uncontrolled side road
junctions and on minor roads away from GIVE WAY or STOP lines. The "safe"
distance will depend upon the geometry of the junction.
When crossings are needed on the approaches to roundabouts special care should
be taken in their siting. Zebras are preferred as they avoid any confusion over
priority from signal controlled crossings for drivers approaching the roundabout
GIVE WAY line. Crossings should preferably be away from flared entries to roundabouts
in places where crossing distances are shorter. Consideration should be given
to the use of pedestrian guard railing both to guide pedestrians and prevent
indiscriminate crossing of the carriageway.
At junctions with yellow box markings crossings should be sited so that their
zigzag markings do not encroach into the boxes. Dropped kerbs provide access
for wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties and should always be
provided across the full width of the crossing with the footway ramped preferably
at 1 in 20 but no steeper than 1 in 12. Tactile paving should be provided across
the dropped kerb in a layout appropriate to the crossing type (see Fact Sheet
5.7 Tactile Surface Arrangement on Controlled Crossings and Fact Sheet 5.8 Tactile
Surface Arrangement on Uncontrolled Crossings).
For the benefit of blind or partially sighted people audible signals, bleepers,
and/or tactile signals which indicate when the green figure is displayed and
it is safe to cross should be considered. With audible signals it is important
to ensure that the sound level is adjusted to suit the local conditions as the
bleep can cause annoyance, particularly in residential areas at night. A time
switch to turn off or reduce the sound level should be considered where such
a problem is encountered. Where crossings are close to each other, such as at
staggered crossings,
an audible signal from one can be mistakenly heard as coming from the other
resulting in obvious danger. To overcome this, a 'bleep sweep' system may be
used. This is a unit which monitors the ambient level of traffic noise and adjusts
the level and range of the signal it produces so that it is only heard at the
crossing to which it relates.
If an audible signal cannot be used, or it is to be switched off at night,
then a tactile should always be provided. This usually consists of a smallridged
cone mounted on the underside of the push button control unit which rotates
when the green figure is displayed. People with impaired vision can hold the
cone between their fingers. The audible signal and tactile device must switch
off automatically if for any reason both red
lights of the traffic signal heads should fail.
Occasionally, consultation with the local representatives of disability groups
and the Access/Mobility Officer will reveal that there are local people with
both hearing and sight difficulties. When this occurs, existing
crossings in the area should be fitted with tactile devices. It is recommended
that all new crossings should also be fitted with tactile devices.
Good street lighting is essential in the area of pedestrian crossings. Lighting levels, column spacing and locations should conform to BS 5489: Part 2: 1992 Code of Practice for Road Lighting - Lighting for Traffic Routes. Reference should also be made to the Institution of Lighting Engineers, Technical Report No. 12, Lighting of Pedestrian Crossings. Existing lighting levels should always be checked and, if necessary, upgraded when installing new crossings.
Audible and tactile devices and the requirement for lamp monitoring must conform to Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) Specification TR 0141B. Traffic Advisory Leaflet 4/91-Audible and Tactile Signals at Pelican Crossings provides additional information.
Even with lighting to the above standard there will be occasions when it may
be difficult for drivers to clearly see pedestrians waiting to cross the road.
Supplementary lighting should then be provided. This lighting must be designed
to illuminate the crossing and the adjacent footway only and must prevent glare
reaching the approaching driver.
Crossings must be signed in accordance with The Traffic Signs and General Directions 1994 and Traffic Signs Manual, Chapter 4, Warning Signs, Table A as modified by Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) Local Transport Note 2/95, The Design of Pedestrian Crossings.
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