London unveils new technology for pedestrian crossings

As part of its commitment to reduce the number of pedestrians killed or injured by 40 percent by 2020, London is to trial new pedestrian crossing sensors to make it easier and safer for people to cross roads in the capital.

The introduction of Pedestrian Split Cycle Offset Optimisation Technique, or ‘pedestrian SCOOT’, is the first of its kind in the world and uses state-of-the-art video camera technology to automatically detect how many pedestrians are waiting at crossings.

It enables the adjustment of traffic signal timings automatically to extend the green pedestrian invitation to cross phase when large numbers of people are waiting, allowing more people to cross the road.

In addition, Transport For London (TfL) is developing a ‘call cancel’ technology, which can detect when a pedestrian who has pushed the crossing button has either crossed before the signal goes green or walks away, and therefore cancels the pedestrian crossing phase.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London said: “I am delighted that London is the first city in the world to be trialling this cutting-edge equipment, which will benefit pedestrians across the city. Innovation like this is key to keeping London moving efficiently and making our roads safer for everyone to use.”

Subject to the outcome of the trials, TfL is hopeful that it can further develop the technology to use at other high footfall areas such as outside sporting venues or along busy high streets.

The latest initiative follows on from TfL’s successful development of Pedestrian Countdown technology, which tells pedestrians how long they still have left to cross the road once the green pedestrian phase has gone out.

Around 550 pedestrian crossings at 200 locations across 30 London boroughs have now been equipped with Pedestrian Countdown, with TfL committed to install the technology out more widely across the capital in the coming years. Two locations which featured the Countdown—the crossings outside Balham and Tooting Bec Underground stations—have been selected for the first trails of pedestrian SCOOT.

Leon Daniels, Managing Director of Surface Transport at TfL, said: “We are fully committed to improving road safety for all road users across London, especially pedestrians. These new trials of pedestrian detection technology will allow our traffic signals to become even more intelligent, bringing huge benefits to those waiting to cross the road where there is heavy pedestrian demand.”