Pelican crossings
On a pelican crossing, the red and green man indicators are on the far side of the road to where you are standing.
When the green man indicator is illuminated, it is safe to cross the road. It is sometimes accompanied by an audible signal. When the audible signal is not permitted for use, a tactile cone is provided under the push button unit. This rotates when the green man is lit.
Once the green man symbol starts to flash, pedestrians still have sufficient time to finish crossing the road. Pedestrians should not start to cross the road at this time.
If the crossing is clear of pedestrians, traffic may proceed through, but pedestrians have priority.
Puffin crossings
The puffin crossing differs from a pelican crossing in several aspects.
The red and green man indicator is positioned above the 'wait' indicator adjacent to where pedestrians stand when waiting to cross. This enables pedestrians to see oncoming traffic and the red and green man indicator at the same time.
When the green man symbol illuminates it is safe to cross the road. This is sometimes accompanied by an audible signal. When the audible signal is not permitted for use, a tactile cone is provided under the push button unit. This rotates when the green man symbol is lit.
The crossings are fitted with above ground detectors that increase their efficiency by:
- cancelling the demand if the pedestrian moves away from the crossing
- adjusting the time available for pedestrians to cross the road
This enables the crossing to respond to the on ground traffic and pedestrian situation, enhancing safety and minimising delay.
Pegasus crossings
A Pegasus crossing is a combination of a toucan and an equestrian crossing.
As with the toucan, the red and green man and cycle indicators can be mounted on the far side of the road from the crossing point. Or could instead be positioned nearside adjacent to where pedestrians stand.
The equestrians are segregated from the pedestrians and cyclists and have their own crossing point, together with dedicated red and green horse symbol indicators. The push button demand units are mounted at 2 different heights giving horse riders the option of not having to dismount when operating the crossing.
The green man, cycle and horse symbols inform users when it is safe to cross the road. This can be accompanied by an audible signal. When the audible signal is not permitted for use, a tactile cone is provided under the push button unit. This rotates when the green symbols are lit.
The time allowed to cross the road is adjusted by overhead detectors which sense users on the crossing itself.
Toucan crossings
A toucan crossing enables pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road using a shared facility.
The red and green man and cycle indicators can be located on the far side of the crossing from the waiting point (making it similar to pelican crossings). Or they can be located on the near side (making it similar to puffin crossings).
The green man and cycle symbols illuminate when it is safe to cross the road. This is sometimes accompanied by an audible signal. When the audible signal is not permitted for use, a tactile cone is provided under the push button unit. This rotates when the green man symbol is lit.
Like puffin crossings, toucans are fitted with above ground detectors that increase their efficiency by:
- cancelling the demand if the pedestrian moves away from the crossing
- adjusting the time available for pedestrians to cross the road
This enables the crossing to respond to the on ground traffic and pedestrian situation, enhancing safety and minimising delay.
Zebra crossings
Zebra crossings have black and white stripes painted on the carriageway with orange flashing beacons at each end.
We get many requests for zebra crossings to be changed to puffin crossings, as the public believes them to be safer. Recent research has shown that the safety record of both types is similar.
For enquiries about existing or the provision of new zebra crossings please Call Derbyshire email: contact.centre@derbyshire.gov.uk or tel: 01629 533190.
Pedestrian refuges
Where a pedestrian crossing cannot be justified, a pedestrian refuge may be placed in the carriageway.
These allow pedestrians to cross the carriageway in 2 halves with a safe place to wait in the middle.
There may be illuminated bollards at the site of the crossing.