Puffin crossings

Providing safe places to cross increasingly busy roads is a challenge for local authorities seeking to promote sustainable travel and road safety while tackling the adverse affects of traffic congestion on delay and air quality. A number of alternative crossings have traditionally been provided, ranging from simple drop kerbs to Zebra or Pelican crossings. More recently, Puffin crossings are being installed. Puffin crossings replace the red and green man signals located on the far side of a Pelican crossing or a signal controlled junction, with near side indicators that can be adjusted so that pedestrians can watch on-coming traffic as well as the pedestrian signal.

Where does CSS stand?

CSS believes that seeing approaching traffic will reduce the risk of an accident should a driver fail to stop at a crossing. Pedestrian detection may be used to confirm the presence of a pedestrian waiting to cross, and to vary the duration of crossing time to more accurately reflect the time needed to cross the road. The crossing time can be extended for groups of pedestrians, and for mobility impaired users, or operate for a minimum time when a single pedestrian crosses quickly. The crossing period may also be cancelled if a pedestrian presses the pushbutton then crosses before it operates.  

CSS believes that Puffin crossings can overcome much of the frustration experienced by drivers confronted by crossings that operate in the absence of pedestrians, or which remain on red for too long. Puffin crossings also remove the flashing green man/flashing vehicle amber period used at Pelican crossings, and the period when no signal is displayed for pedestrians that operates where pedestrian facilities are provided at a signal controlled junction. This removes the ambiguity associated with these periods, and the uncertainty that causes concern to some drivers and pedestrians.

 It is the Department for Transport’s (DfT) intention that Puffin pedestrian facilities should become the standard form of provision of signalled pedestrian crossings.CSS supports this aim, which will provide a consistent signal sequence at adjacent signal controlled crossings and junctions. CSS supports the use of Puffin crossings, which properly installed and maintained will help local authorities balance the needs of pedestrians and motorists, and provide greater assistance for pedestrians with specific mobility needs. 

CSS has supported the development of a Puffin Good Practice Guide, a joint CSS and DfT publication that promotes best practice in the design, operation and maintenance of Puffin crossings.  This document and a short film on using Puffin crossings are on a DVD which can be obtained free of charge from PO Box 236, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7NB. The Puffin Good Practice Guide and video can also be downloaded from the Department for Transport’s website.  

CSS is committed to an approach that matches the choice of an appropriate crossing facility to the needs of both pedestrians and motorists. While Puffin equipment is recommended at signal controlled crossings, Zebra crossings and uncontrolled arrangements will remain appropriate at many locations.