Auckland Transport - ped crossings showing red man

Dear Stephen,

Subject:                               Franklin Road – Pedestrian Crossing



Thank you for contacting Auckland Transport on the 4 February 2014 regarding the traffic light signal at the intersection of Victoria Street West and Franklin Road staying Red until the pedestrian buzzer is pushed. Your concerns were passed onto our Road Corridor Operations Department for investigation.

Firstly, thank you for your patience while we have been investigating your concerns and preparing a response for you. The reason why at some intersections around Auckland the pedestrian signal Red Man is always on is as follows:

Under the Traffic Control Devices Rule and the Road User Rule, the Road Controlling Authority (Auckland Transport) is empowered to control and manage all road users, through the use of Traffic Control Devices.  It was interpreted that technically our signalised intersections did not officially control the pedestrian movement by having the Redman in the off state.  We believe we are the only country in the world that has this set up at signalised intersections.  Originally the decision to permit the off state of the Redman was to provide the pedestrian some indication when they pushed the pedestrian button; they received confirmation that the demand had been recorded in the controller by lighting up the Redman.

With the use of LED lamps, our signal contractors and suppliers have produced new pedestrian push buttons that have a small LED lamp which comes on once the button is pushed, informing pedestrians that their demand has been received.  We brought a few in to trial their use and address the issue of ensuring the pedestrians were correctly controlled at the intersection.  We initially had some installation issues at existing intersections, however these have been addressed.  Albeit the new push buttons work well, we have received some complaints regarding the confusion that this has caused.  Pedestrians assumed that the phase had been called because the Redman was lit.

Due to the confusion this has caused, we have ceased installing the new style push button at this stage.  Auckland Transport will consider future installations of these new push buttons to coincide with a publicity campaign.

Therefore at this stage Auckland Transport have no immediate plans to roll out these new push buttons any further as a strategic programme to replace our existing units have not yet been developed and are conscious that other cities around the country are not considering the use of these new push buttons yet.

We trust the above addresses the issues you have raised and appreciate you taking the time to bring the matter to our attention.

Kind regards,

Bhavna Dahya | Customer Response Team