Pedestrian crossing

A pedestrian crossing is a designated point on a road at which some means are employed to assist pedestrians wishing to cross the road. Pedestrian crossings may have regular traffic lights (where those for the pedestrians are usually without yellow) or special coloured lamps to alert drivers of vehicles. In the United States, some are marked using the abbreviation Ped Xing.

Pedestrian crossings are often at intersections. They are also at other points on busy roads that would otherwise be perilous to attempt to cross. They are also common near schools or in other areas where there are a large number of children.

They are one of several types of traffic calming techniques.

Table of contents

1 Pedestrian crossings in the U.K. 2 Pedestrian crossings in the U.S. 3 Enhancements for disabled users

Pedestrian crossings in the U.K.

In the United Kingdom, animal names are used to distinguish several types of such crossings:

• Zebra crossing
• Pelican crossing
• Puffin crossing
• Toucan crossing

Pedestrian crossings in the U.S.

In the United States, other terms and techniques exist:

• Crosswalks, occasionally raised
• Pedestrian refuges or small islands in the middle of a street
• Curb (or kerb) extensions which narrow the width of the street and used in combination with crosswalk markings

Enhancements for disabled users

Pedestrian controlled crossings are sometimes provided with enhanced features to assist the disabled. Enhancements may include:

• Tactile cones near the control button. These rotate when the lights turn red. This provides an indication to pedestrians incapable of seeing the lights that a crossing is possible with a degree of safety.
• Tactile surfacing pattern laid flush within the adjacent footways (US: sidewalks), so that visually impaired pedestrians can locate the control box and cone device and know when their crossing manoeuvre has been accomplished.
• Audible signals, such as beeps, in order to assist blind or partially sighted pedestrians.