Comparing Puffin, Zebra, and Pelican Crossings

Puffin pedestrian crossings have been a topic of debate among urban planners and pedestrians alike.  Many argue that these crossings are far worse for pedestrians compared to the traditional zebra and pelican crossings.  To understand why puffin crossings are installed despite their drawbacks, it’s crucial to compare them with Zebra and Pelican crossings and examine their intended benefits.

Zebra Crossings (so called because of the black and white stripes)

Zebra crossings are characterized by their distinctive black and white stripes on the road surface and are one of the most recognizable pedestrian crossings.  They rely on the principle that drivers must give way to pedestrians stepping onto the crossing.

Advantages of Zebra Crossings:

• Instant pedestrian priority once they step onto the crossing.
• No need for pedestrian interaction with signals, making them quicker to use.
• High visibility due to their distinctive stripes.

Disadvantages of Zebra Crossings:

• Reliance on driver behaviour, which can vary and sometimes lead to unsafe situations.
• Less effective in high-speed or high-traffic environments.

Pelican Crossings (Pedestrian Light Indication)

Pelican crossings are signal-controlled crossings where pedestrians push a button to activate a sequence of lights. Drivers are stopped by a red light, allowing pedestrians to cross safely.

Advantages of Pelican Crossings:

• Clear signal control ensures drivers stop, providing a safe crossing environment.
• Suitable for areas with heavy traffic flow.
• Timed crossings can manage pedestrian traffic effectively.

Disadvantages of Pelican Crossings:

• Pedestrians must wait for the signal to change, which can be time-consuming.
• Can create delays for drivers due to the stop-and-go nature of traffic lights.

Puffin Crossings (Pedestrian User-Friendly Intelligence)

Puffin crossings are an evolution of the pelican crossing, equipped with sensors to detect pedestrian movement.  The sensors ensure that the green man signal remains active for as long as pedestrians are on the crossing.

Advantages of Puffin Crossings:

• Enhanced safety with sensors that adjust crossing times based on pedestrian presence.
• Minimized traffic delays by optimizing crossing times.
• Improved accessibility for slower pedestrians, such as the elderly or disabled.

Disadvantages of Puffin Crossings:

• Potential longer wait times for pedestrians before crossing is permitted.
• Complex technology can malfunction, leading to inefficiencies.
• Less intuitive for pedestrians unfamiliar with the system.

While puffin crossings may appear less favourable for pedestrians, their installation is driven by the goal of enhancing road safety and traffic efficiency.  The sensor technology provides a dynamic approach to pedestrian crossing times, catering to varying pedestrian speeds and ensuring crossings are safe for all users.  However, the balance between pedestrian convenience and traffic flow often leads to the perception that puffin crossings are less pedestrian-friendly.

Ultimately, the choice of crossing type depends on the specific needs and characteristics of the location, traffic conditions, and pedestrian demographics. Despite their drawbacks, puffin crossings offer a modern solution to urban crossing challenges, aiming to create safer and more efficient environments for both pedestrians and drivers.

Editors Note;

To complete the list, there are, of course, two other types of crossing;

Toucan – Two Can Cross

Toucan crossings are designed for both pedestrians and cyclists – who aren’t allowed to use the other types of crossings above but are allowed to ride across a Toucan.

A Toucan crossing is found next to cycle paths and has the same signals as a pelican crossing, but will also include a green cycle symbol alongside the green man. 

Equestrian or Pegasus

An Equestrian crossing is made for horse riders.

Equestrian crossings are traffic light-controlled with a red or green horse symbol and push buttons higher up to allow horse riders to activate it. They also have wider crossing spaces for the horses and may be combined with crossings for cyclists and pedestrians too.

Assistant Ed; The Puffin crossing has replaced a Pelican crossing near where I live, and in my humble opinion is much worse for the pedestrians.  How does this square with the Hierarchy of road users, when traffic is given priority over pedestrians?  An old fashioned Zebra crossing is exactly the opposite...