Editing Traffic light (section)

==Pedestrian signals==
{{Further|Pedestrian crossing}}Pedestrian signals are used to inform pedestrians when to cross a road. Most pedestrian signal heads will have two lights: a 'walk' light (normally a walking human figure, typically coloured green or white) and a 'don't walk' light (normally either a red or orange man figure or a hand), though other variations exist.<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 December 2011|title=Pedestrian Signals|url=https://www.sfbetterstreets.org/find-project-types/pedestrian-safety-and-traffic-calming/pedestrian-signals/|access-date=18 December 2021|website=SF Better Streets|language=en-US}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+Pedestrian sequences in various countries
!Country/ies
! scope="col" style="width: 40%;" |Sequence
! scope="col" style="width: 40%;" |Notes
|-
|Australia, New Zealand, Philippines 
|Green man: safe to cross
Flashing red man: do not start to cross; if it appears during crossing, then continue to cross if unable to stop safely

Red man: do not cross

|Several intersections in Wellington, New Zealand, have alternative green man figures. Eight intersections near [[New Zealand Parliament Buildings|Parliament Buildings]] have silhouettes of [[suffragette]] [[Kate Sheppard]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Maoate-Cox |first=Daniela |date=11 September 2014 |title=Kate Sheppard lights encourage voting |publisher=Radio New Zealand |url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/election-2014/254365/kate-sheppard-lights-encourage-voting |access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref> while four intersections along Cuba Street have silhouettes of drag performer and LGBT rights activist [[Carmen Rupe]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Nicoll |first=Jared |date=8 August 2016 |title=Carmen Rupe lighting up Wellington streets once again |work=Stuff.co.nz |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/82951791/Carmen-Rupe-lighting-up-Wellington-streets-once-again |access-date=20 September 2016}}</ref>
|-
|China
|Green: safe to cross
Red: do not cross

Amber (steady, after green, before red): continue to cross only if unable to stop safely

Flashing amber: cross with caution (often used in low-traffic crossing or after midnight)
|
|-
|Japan
|Blue or green man: safe to cross (cyclists may cross or turn left)
Flashing blue or green man: do not start to cross; if it appears during crossing, then continue to cross if unable to stop safely

Red standing man: do not cross
|
|-
|Germany, Czechia, Central Europe
|Green: safe to cross

Amber: continue to cross only if unable to stop safely

Flashing amber: cross with caution, obey signage (used when lights are out of order or shut down)

Red: do not cross

Red and amber: do not cross, prepare for green
|In Germany, [[Ampelmännchen]] pedestrian traffic signals have come to be seen as a nostalgic sign for the former [[German Democratic Republic]].
In Germany, the fine for crossing a red light if caught is as of 2019 between €5 and €10.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Melican |first1=Brian |date=28 January 2014 |title=Why the green man is king in Germany |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatlife/10599631/Why-the-green-man-is-king-in-Germany.html}}</ref>
|-
|United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Macao
|Green walking man: safe to cross
Flashing green man or no man: do not start to cross (only at mid-block crossings); if it appears during crossing, then continue to cross if unable to stop safely

Red standing man: do not cross
|In the United Kingdom, there is no direct offence committed if a pedestrian fails to obey crossing signals and many lights commonly only use two still images – a green walking person and a red standing man, this being the general case where the crossing is at a road junction and the pedestrian signals are in combination with those controlling vehicular traffic.
|-
|United States, Canada, Mexico (Tijuana), Philippines (Makati, Davao)
|<u>Formerly signals used the text:</u><ref>{{cite book|section=Section 4D-1 Pedestrian Signal Indications|title=Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Chapter 4D|url=http://www.trafficsign.us/oldmutcd/1978/4-signals.pdf|edition=6th|version=1986 revision|page=4D-1|publisher=[[Federal Highway Administration]]|publication-date=1978}} See also Figure 4-3 "Pedestrian signal face designs", p. 4D-3.</ref>
WALK<!-- all caps -->

{{Not a typo|DONT}}<!-- no apostrophe --> WALK<!-- all caps -->

<u>Modern version:</u>

White walking man: cross with caution

Flashing [[Portland Orange|orange]] stophand: do not start to cross; if it appears during crossing, then continue to cross if unable to stop safely

Orange stophand: do not enter the intersection
|The [[Massachusetts|U.S. state of Massachusetts]] allows an unusual indication variation for pedestrian movement. At signalized intersections without separate pedestrian signal heads, the traffic signals may be programmed to turn red in all directions, followed by a [[Variations in traffic light operation#Pedestrian red-amber|steady display of amber lights simultaneously with the red]] indications. During this red-plus-amber indication, the intersection is closed to vehicular traffic and pedestrians may cross, usually in whatever direction they choose.
|-
|Israel
|Red standing man: do not cross; if it appears during crossing, then continue to cross if unable to stop safely
Green walking man: safe to cross
|
|-
|France
| green and light, traditionally and in compliance with the international conventions.
Red Man: Do Not Cross. If it appears during crossing, then continue to cross if unable to stop safely.

Green Man: Safe to Cross.
| In 2023, a two year experiment was allowed to start on 8 intersections experimenting blinking yellow light and 7 other one frozen yellow light.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000047501337 | title=Arrêté du 21 avril 2023 portant expérimentation d'une phase jaune de temps de dégagement piéton sur des feux piétons }}</ref>
|}

[[File:Traffic light (animation).gif|thumb|Traffic light animation (pedestrians, cyclists and traffic) in [[Ljubljana]], Slovenia]]
Where pedestrians need to cross the road between junctions, a signal-controlled crossing may be provided as an alternative to a [[zebra crossing]] or uncontrolled crossing. Traffic lights are normally used at crossings where vehicle speeds are high, where either vehicle or pedestrian flows are high or near signalised junctions.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|location=c.18}} In the UK, this type of crossing is called a [[pelican crossing]]. More modern iterations are puffin and pedex crossings. In the UK, these crossings normally need at least four traffic signals, which are of a regular type (red, amber, and green), two facing in each direction. Pedestrians are provided with push buttons and pedestrian signals, consisting of a red and green man. Farside signals are located across the crossing, while nearside signals are located below the traffic lights, facing in the direction of oncoming traffic.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|location=c.18}} 

A [[HAWK beacon]] is a special type of traffic used in the US at mid-block crossings. These consist of two red signals above a single amber signal. The beacon is unlit until a pedestrian pushes the cross button. Then an amber light will show, followed by both red lights, at which point the 'Walk' symbol will illuminate for pedestrians. At the end of the crossing phase, the 'Don't Walk' symbol will flash, as will the amber traffic light.<ref>{{Cite web|title=New traffic signals make it safer for pedestrians |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-08-09-crosswalk09_ST_N.htm|access-date=19 December 2021|website=USA Today}}</ref>

[[File:Shibuya Crossing (25790725888).jpg|thumb|The [[Shibuya Crossing]], in Tokyo, is a famous example of a [[pedestrian scramble]] with diagonal crossings.]]
Pedestrians are usually incorporated into urban signalised junctions in one of four ways: no facilities, parallel walk, walk with traffic, or all-red stages. No facilities may be provided if pedestrian demand is low, in areas where pedestrians are not permitted, or if there is a subway or overpass. No provision of formal facilities means pedestrians will have to self-evaluate when it is safe to cross, which can be intimidating for pedestrians.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=71}} 

With a "parallel walk" design, pedestrians walk alongside the traffic flow. A [[leading pedestrian interval]] may be provided, whereby pedestrians get a "walk" signal before the traffic gets a green light, allowing pedestrians to establish themselves on the crossing before vehicles begin to turn, to encourage drivers to give way.<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 November 2017|title=Leading Pedestrian Interval|url=https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/traffic-management/traffic-signals-street-signs/types-of-traffic-signals/leading-pedestrian-interval-phase/|access-date=19 December 2021|website=City of Toronto|language=en-CA |last1=Toronto |first1=City of }}</ref> 

A 'walk with traffic' facility allows pedestrians to go at the same time as other traffic movements with no conflict between movements. This can work well on one-way roads, where turning movements are banned or where the straight-ahead movement runs in a different stage from the turning movement. A splitter island could also be provided. Traffic will pass on either side of the island and pedestrians can cross the road safely between the other flows.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=72|pages=}}

An all-red stage, also known as a full pedestrian stage, a [[pedestrian scramble]] or a Barnes Dance,{{Efn|The Barnes Dance is named after an American traffic engineer, [[Henry A. Barnes]]. Barnes did not claim to have invented the system but was a strong advocate of it, having observed the difficulties his daughter faced crossing the road to get to school.}} holds all vehicular traffic at the junction to allow pedestrians time to safely cross without conflict from vehicles. It allows allows the use of diagonal crossings. This may require a longer cycle time and increase pedestrian wait periods, though the latter can be eased by providing two pedestrian stages.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=|pages=71–72}}[[File:MUTCD Ped Signal - Flashing hand with timer.svg|thumb|A diagram of a countdown timer in the US style]]
Pedestrian countdown timers are becoming common at urban signal-controlled crossings. Where a pedestrian countdown is shown, it is normally used in conjunction with the flashing hand signal (in the US and Canada) or blackout period (UK), showing the amount of time remaining in seconds until the end of the flashing hand or blackout.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last=Schmitz |first=Jacob |date=1 July 2011 |title=The Effects of Pedestrian Countdown Timers on Safety and Efficiency of Operations at Signalized Intersections |url=https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/civilengdiss/28 |journal=Civil and Environmental Engineering Theses, Dissertations, and Student Research}}</ref> Pedestrian countdown timers do not significantly increase or reduce the number of red- and amber-light running drivers. Studies have found that pedestrian countdown timers do significantly improve pedestrian compliance over traditional pedestrian signals; however, results are mixed.<ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kłos |first1=Marcin Jacek |last2=Sobota |first2=Aleksander |last3=Żochowska |first3=Renata |last4=Karoń |first4=Grzegorz |date=11 September 2020 |title=Effects of countdown timers on traffic safety at signalized intersections |journal=Transactions on Transport Sciences |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=19–27 |doi=10.5507/tots.2020.010 |s2cid=225185972 |issn=1802-971X|doi-access=free }}</ref>{{Clear}}

===Smartphone Zombie ribbon===
As 12 to 45% of pedestrian deaths caused by 'pedestrian distraction' have been linked to cell phone usage,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Smartphone texting linked to compromised pedestrian safety |url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200203210601.htm |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=ScienceDaily |language=en}}</ref> some cities (including [[Sydney]], [[Seoul]], [[Augsburg]], [[Bodegraven]], [[Tel Aviv]], and [[Singapore]]) have installed LED strips embedded in the sidewalk before crosswalks to warn distracted pedestrians of immanent pedestrian crossings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Broom |first=Douglas |date=November 1, 2021 |title=Zombie traffic lights' are saving the lives of smartphone users - here's how |url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/11/saving-lives-smartphone-zombies-pedestrians/ |access-date=June 8, 2024 |website=World Economic Forum}}</ref> This additional signal, which is synchronized with conventional signals, aims to decrease injury rates by telling distracted pedestrians when it is safe to cross the road without them having to lift their head.
<gallery>
File:Korean smartphone zombie pedestrian traffic light green.jpg|[[Smartphone zombie]] light in green
File:Korean smartphone zombie pedestrian traffic light green close up.jpg|Smartphone zombie light in green, close up
File:Korean smartphone zombie pedestrian traffic light red.jpg|Smartphone zombie light in red
File:Korean smartphone zombie pedestrian traffic light red close up.jpg|Smartphone zombie light in red, close up
</gallery>

===Auditory and tactile signals===
In some jurisdictions such as Australia, pedestrian lights are associated with a sound device, for the benefit of blind and visually impaired pedestrians. These make a slow beeping sound when the pedestrian lights are red and a continuous buzzing or fast beeping sound when the lights are green. In the Australian States of [[Queensland]], [[New South Wales]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], and [[Western Australia]], the sound is produced in the same unit as the push buttons. In a circle above the button on a [[PB/5 pedestrian crossing button|PB/5 crossing]], the sound is produced and can be felt along with a raised arrow that points in the direction to walk.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Park |first=Miles|title=Sublime design: the PB/5 pedestrian button|url=http://theconversation.com/sublime-design-the-pb-5-pedestrian-button-26232|access-date=19 December 2020|website=The Conversation|date=29 June 2014 }}</ref> 

This system of [[assistive technology]] is also widely used at busy intersections in Canadian cities. In the United Kingdom, the [[Puffin crossing]]s and their predecessor, the [[Pelican crossing]], will make a fast beeping sound to indicate that it is safe to cross the road. The beeping sound is disabled during the nighttime so as not to disturb any nearby residents.<ref>[http://www.2pass.co.uk/crossing.htm#.T194QfUZlGM Types of Pedestrian Crossing in the UK]. 2pass.co.uk.</ref> 

In some states in the United States, at some busy intersections, buttons will make a beeping sound for blind people. When the light changes, a speaker built into the button will play a recording to notify blind people that it is safe to cross. When the signal flashes red, the recording will start to count down with the countdown timer. In several countries such as New Zealand, technology also allows deaf and blind people to feel when lights have changed to allow safe crossing. A small pad, housed within an indentation in the base of the box housing the button mechanism, moves downwards when the lights change to allow crossing. This is designed to be felt by anyone waiting to cross who has limited ability to detect sight or sound. 

In Japan, a traffic light emits an electronic sound that mimics the sound of birdsong to help the visually impaired. Some traffic lights fix the order and type of sound so that they can tell which direction is a green light. In general, "''Piyo''" (peep) and "''Piyo-piyo''", which is a small bird call, and "''Kakkō''" and "''Ka-kakkō''", which is a cuckoo call, are associated with this system.<ref>{{Cite web|title=横断歩道、減る「通りゃんせ」 音響信号「ピヨピヨ」化：朝日新聞デジタル|url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ9N3VTNJ9NTIPE00Z.html|access-date=1 September 2020|website=朝日新聞デジタル|language=ja|archive-date=6 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106132038/https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJ9N3VTNJ9NTIPE00Z.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some pedestrian crossings in Lithuania make a slow beeping sound indicating that the traffic light is about to turn off.