Signalised intersections

Description

Signalised intersections have many similar design considerations to mid-block pedestrian signals. At mid-block signals the pedestrian phase is always segregated from vehicles, while at intersections pedestrians may have to share their phase with turning traffic, which must give way to pedestrians.

Contextual considerations

Signalised intersections have the following benefits and implications for pedestrians crossing.

Benefits

• Clearly indicates to people when to cross.
• Allows pedestrians to cross multiple vehicle lanes safely.
• Provides clear information on when a driver must stop and when a pedestrian can cross.
• Simplifies the crossing task for pedestrians.
• Encourages pedestrians to cross in groups, rather than intermittently.
• Can reduce crashes involving people crossing if the conflict with turning vehicles is well managed.
• Exclusive ‘Barnes Dance’ phase can allow people to cross safely on the diagonal.

Implications

• Can delay pedestrians when vehicle traffic is given more green time. This can result in pedestrians crossing against the signals (ie when they are red).
• Generally more costly to install, operate and maintain than other intersection types.
• People crossing may require a high proportion of the total cycle time or they may find it difficult to cross in the allotted crossing time if phase times are optimised for vehicle movements.
• If there is no detection to cancel a pedestrian call, signals will still provide the pedestrian phase which could delay traffic for no apparent reason.

Recommended parameters

• At busy intersections requiring multiple approach lanes, signals are generally preferred over multi-lane roundabouts.
• Consider Barnes Dance which allows pedestrians to cross diagonally in appropriate locations such as central city streets, or where turning conflicts cannot be sufficiently well managed by other means. 
• Signalised intersections can be combined with kerb extensions, median and pedestrian refuges, vertical deflection and slip lanes.
• Primary Safe System treatment if operating speeds are below 30km/h.[1]
• May be a standard safety intervention if key criteria are met (in particular the use of raised safety platforms) which can lead to a streamlined investment pathway. Refer to the Standard safety intervention toolkit

Legal considerations

Pedestrian displays including how the green and red pedestrian signal aspects and countdown pedestrian signals should be installed and operated are outlined in the TCD Rule, Section 6.6.

Additional traffic signs permitted on a pole supporting a traffic signal are outlined in Section 10.5(2).

Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004

Pedestrians, riders of mobility devices, and riders of wheeled recreational devices who are using the footpath must not enter the roadway when the flashing or steady red standing human figure is showing, and may enter the roadway when the green walking human figure is showing (Road User Rule, 3.5).

Pedestrians must not cross any other part of a roadway that is within 20m of the part controlled by traffic signals (Road User Rule, 11.3(2)).

Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004

Design considerations

The design of a signal controlled intersection should reflect the desired use of the street and the people movements on the street. It will generally look and operate differently depending on location and the number of people using the signals due to the context. Check the intersection design principles guidance and signalised crossings guidance for further information.  In particular, establish the design vehicle early in the design process so the scale of the intersection can be determined.

Signalised intersections can include left turn slip lanes, but these need to be carefully designed for pedestrians. Further guidance is available at the links below.

PNG: Intersection design principles

PNG: Signalised crossings

PNG: Left turn slip lanes

The following aspects should be considered at intersection traffic signals to accommodate pedestrians:

• All legs of signalised intersections should have marked crosswalks unless people are prohibited from a section of roadway or there is no, and unlikely to be in the future, pedestrian access on a certain corner.
• Minimise the distance that pedestrians are exposed to traffic by minimising the crossing distances. This can be achieved through kerb extensions.
• Designers must consider the capacity of the waiting space for people on the footpath and allow for movement along the paths. The mixing of people on foot and by bicycle at corners should be avoided. Not only does this unnecessarily increase the potential for conflict between two modes that travel at different speeds, but it increases the potential for congestion on corners that could lead to overspill or non-compliance by users.
• Consider how other users of the intersection will interact with pedestrians including people on bicycles, micromobility and mobility devices. This is very important at signalised intersections where people are likely to need to wait to cross both at the kerbside, and potentially within a median island (refer to ‘Requirements for other road users’).

PNG: Requirements for other road users

Corner radii and kerb ramp locations

Individual kerb ramps should be provided for each pedestrian crossing movement that is catered for at the intersection. The location of the kerb ramps is influenced by the corner radii and other constraints. Satisfactory kerb ramp layouts can usually be devised with corner radii of 3m or less as outlined in RTS14.

RTS14 - Guidelines for facilities for blind and vision impaired pedestrians [PDF, 1.6 MB]

The table below outlines the options for installing kerb ramps at signalised intersections with the preferred option being a perpendicular arrangement. Note, the requirement for and placement of directional tactile indicators depends on the location of the kerb crossing in relation to the continuous accessible path of travel and the footpath width. Refer to RTS14 for further guidance.

Table: Kerb ramp installation at intersections

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Signal phasing for people crossing

Pedestrians are accommodated at traffic signal intersections by either an automatic pedestrian phase or they are required to push the button to request a phase to cross. In high pedestrian areas and co-ordinated networks, having automated pedestrian phases provides balance between the demands of people wanting to cross the road and people travelling through the intersection by other modes including people on bikes and buses. In some contexts it may be appropriate for two phases per cycle to be allocated to pedestrians crossing which provides a higher level of service.

Where pedestrian traffic is light, user demanded pedestrian phases may be acceptable and may provide more efficiency for mixed traffic and bicycles.

Non-compliance of traffic signals will increase with the amount of time pedestrians are delayed and may lead to risky behaviour by pedestrians. NZ research[1] has shown that

After about 20-30 seconds of delay, pedestrians’ level of frustration grows disproportionately to the actual delay itself, as evidenced by their disproportionate perceptions of delay. This frustration has implications for traffic safety if pedestrians violate the signals and cross between pedestrian cycles.

Long signal cycles, compounded over multiple intersections, can make crossing a street or walking even a short distance prohibitive and frustrating. This reduces walkability of a street or area.[2]

PNG: Walkability

In general, shorter signal cycles (up to 90 seconds) are preferred for vehicles as they provide predictable and regular crossings, and generally minimise overall delay for drivers. While short cycles tend to encourage people to obey the signals compared with locations with longer delays, the short cycle length needs to be weighed against the safety benefits of separated signal phases, such as having dedicated right-turn signals.

The crossing time should be long enough for pedestrians to cross wide streets in a single leg without having to stop in the median, unless the median is a destination in and of itself.

Multistage crossings are often used within intersections to allow pedestrians to cross with certain vehicle movements. They are generally a product of providing for maximum vehicle capacity rather than pedestrian convenience. To cross a single leg or to get to the opposite corner, several crossing stages must be negotiated. Waiting areas for pedestrians should be large enough to accommodate the expected numbers of pedestrians, particularly people using wheelchairs or pushchairs who need space to turn. The most important concept for the phasing of staged pedestrian crossings is that the two halves of a crossing can be operated independently[3]. Thus, when the approach leg of the crossing is in operation the approach traffic will be stopped but traffic entering the departure leg may be allowed and vice-versa as shown in the phasing diagrams below. The phasing should be co-ordinated according to the direction of the crossing demand to minimise the waiting time in the central median.

Pedestrian countdown timers that display clearance times when crossing an intersection by giving them information about how much time is left to cross. They should be included at all Barnes Dance crossings (also known as scramble crossings) where pedestrians can cross the intersection in all directions including diagonally, while all vehicle traffic is stopped.

Countdown pedestrian signals are described in the Traffic Control Devices Rule Clause 6.6.

The following operational considerations are important for accommodating pedestrians safely and efficiently at traffic signals:

• Signals in urban areas should be programmed to increase the predictability of the urban environment and ensure consistent opportunities for pedestrians crossing and cross traffic[4].
• Use signal priority tools, such as leading pedestrian intervals to prioritise people walking where this is desirable.
• Adjust signal timing and phasing for peak and off-peak volumes as there is likely to be differing levels of activity by different users through the day.
• Signal phasing can give immediate green to pedestrians crossing a one-way traffic approach if traffic is already held.
• Minimise waiting times for pedestrians through shorter cycle times or giving more time to pedestrian phases.

In a co-ordinated corridor, signal timing should be to or below the speed that traffic is intended to travel along the corridor to reduce speeding, particularly on one-way streets. Lower speeds improve the overall amenity for people walking along a street but also reduce the severity of any collisions with pedestrians as part of a safe system. Lower speeds also increase the attractiveness and comfort of pedestrians waiting at the corners and in central islands.

While separating traffic through signal phasing may have safety benefits, additional phases increase wait times for everyone including pedestrians by increasing the overall length of the signal cycle. Consider turn restrictions at complex intersections or, where turn volumes necessitate a dedicated turn phase, introduce a protected right-turn phase[4].  If the intersection is in a high pedestrian demand area, it may be that conflicting movements are restricted to reduce the likelihood of a collision but to also ensure pedestrians receive a high level of service. This is likely to be appropriate on City Hubs and the ends of Civic Spaces.

There are two types of phasing for people crossing the road as outlined in the table below.  Exclusive pedestrian phases mean pedestrians can cross when there are no conflicting movements. Conversely a concurrent phase allows people to cross while parallel and non-conflicting vehicular traffic is also moving. The table below identifies design considerations for pedestrians and other road users for the different phasing types. The and severity of conflicts between cyclists, pedestrians and turning traffic and especially heavy vehicles should be assessed with design and phasing options considered that minimise the risks [5].

Table: Signal phasing options

Phasing	Description	Design considerations for people crossing	Design considerations for other road users
Exclusive
Exclusive (scramble/ Barnes dance)	All vehicles stop and pedestrians can cross in any direction.	Beneficial where there are high pedestrian numbers.  Need to allow sufficient footpath space to hold waiting pedestrians. Give pedestrians the highest priority over other traffic modes.  Automatically call the pedestrian phase.  This can have double phases, so pedestrians receive two phases per cycle. Beneficial where high numbers of vulnerable pedestrians are crossing (children, mobility impaired or older users). Kerb ramps need to be wider than at a standard intersection to cater for the various movements across the intersection. May not be appropriate at extremely wide intersections where a diagonal crossing may take a significant time to complete. Need to ensure signal heads are visible for people crossing diagonally. Safer for pedestrians than concurrent phasing.	Greater delay to vehicles due to longer pedestrian phase. Ensure approaching drivers can’t see the countdown timer displays or pedestrian aspects as they may mistake these for their own signals.
Concurrent
Fully controlled (exclusive) right and left turn arrows	Turning vehicles are held on a red arrow to give pedestrians protection when crossing the road from turning vehicles.	Gives priority to pedestrians over turning vehicles. Safer for pedestrians over a partially controlled turn or parallel turn. Beneficial where high numbers of vulnerable pedestrians are crossing (children, mobility impaired or older users).	Ensure appropriate turning lanes or bays are provided. There is less delay for through vehicle movements.
Partially controlled right and left turns ‘red arrow drops off’/Leading pedestrian intervals (early start)	Turning vehicles are held on a red arrow whilst pedestrians start to cross then the red arrow drops out and vehicles turn but yield to pedestrians.	Provides a minor safety benefit to pedestrians as they are more visible to drivers once they are on the crosswalk. Pedestrian safety relies on driver compliance and is more suited to low speed environments. Pedestrians may feel intimidated by turning vehicles.	Conflict remains between turning vehicles and pedestrians, albeit delayed (more likely to occur later in the phase) Slightly reduced intersection vehicle throughput may occur due to reduced green time for turning traffic.
Parallel	Vehicles yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing the road into which they are turning.	Pedestrian safety relies on driver courtesy and is only suitable in low speed environments. Pedestrians may feel intimidated by turning vehicles.	Pedestrians and parallel drivers set off at the same time, and this can lead to conflict with turning vehicles. Fortunately turning traffic speeds are generally low so collision consequences are usually minor unless they involve a heavy vehicle. There is less delay to vehicles. A high number of pedestrians can prevent turning vehicles from completing their manoeuvre. Heavy vehicles have blind spots on their left side when turning drivers are unable to see pedestrians crossing from alongside.
Prohibiting turns	Turning movements are prohibited to eliminate conflict with people crossing the road.		Would need to relocate the turn or promote an alternative route. Removes conflict between pedestrians and turning vehicles.

In any signal phasing arrangement, the other important factor for safety is drivers being in the ‘dilemma zone’. This is the area on the approach to the signals where the driver does not know whether they can stop safely or not for the changing signals. The reaction of drivers in the ‘dilemma zone’ varies with their perception of the risk. This typically results in rear end crashes at signals. However, there is a high risk of a serious injury crash with a pedestrian if a driver crosses the end of the ‘dilemma zone’ and a pedestrian has received the green signal to cross on the far side of the intersection. The designer can reduce this by:

• specifying the appropriate intergreen time: or
• detecting approaching vehicles and setting the signals system to delay the signal change when vehicles are in the ‘dilemma zone’. 

Note: Intergreen is the time between the end of a green period of one phase and the beginning of a green period of the next phase.

Signal phasing is complex and it is recommended a specialist signals engineer is employed to identify appropriate phasing arrangements.

Designers should also refer to signalised crossings for other design information including signal display types.

PNG: Signalised crossings

Design elements

Typical layouts for signalised intersections are provided in Section 6.8 of the TCD Manual Part 4.

TCD Manual Part 4 (draft for consultation) [PDF, 35 MB]

Specific treatments that can assist pedestrians to cross at signal controlled intersections are outlined in the sections below. The combination of infrastructure depends on the context of the intersection.

General elements

Kerb ramps must be provided to direct pedestrians to each crosswalk. Ensure there is a minimum 1m width of full height kerb between kerb ramps to avoid a tripping hazard as outlined in RTS14. Other cues including appropriate tactile indicators must be provided and located appropriately.

PNG: Kerb ramp locations

PNG: Designing for blind and low vision people

Crosswalk markings guide the movement of pedestrians across signalised intersections. Pedestrian crosswalk widths should accommodate the pedestrian volumes using the crossing. The TCD Manual Part 4 outlines minimum crosswalk dimensions and their location including diagonal crosswalk lines at a scramble pedestrian control.

Other signs and marking requirements for signalised intersections are provided in the TCD Manual Part 4 Section 6.4, 6.5 and 6.6.

TCD Manual Part 4 (draft for consultation)

Kerb extensions

Kerb extensions can minimise the crossing distance for pedestrians. The shape of the kerb extensions will depend on the size of turning vehicles using the intersection. Ideally the kerb ramps should be placed on straight sections of the kerb extension for ease of applying tactile indicators that are legible.

PNG: Kerb extensions

Median refuge islands

Pedestrian refuges or median refuges allow pedestrians to cross a wider intersection in two stages. This allows for different phasing arrangements as discussed in the Signal phasing section above.

If pedestrians will be required to wait in the median to cross (for example, on a multistage crossing) it is important to provide sufficient space for them to wait and to pass pedestrians walking in the opposite direction as illustrated below.

Pedestrian platforms and raised intersections

Pedestrian platforms and raised intersections can be used to improve safety through signalised intersections by encouraging safer vehicle speeds. An example of a raised intersection is shown in the photo below.

Refer to the vertical deflection devices section in terms of benefits and implications for pedestrians.

PNG: Vertical deflection devices

Implementation of raised safety platforms at existing or new signalised intersections is a standard safety intervention. Refer to the Standard safety intervention toolkit

A typical layout of a raised signalised intersection is shown below.