Crossing the road to be a lot easier

PEDESTRIANS will soon find it easier to cross certain intersections in the city centre as vehicles from different directions will not be allowed to move while they cross.

Brett Herron, the mayoral committee member for transport, launched the new traffic light system at the intersection of Long and Hout streets in Cape Town yesterday.

“It will make the city much safer for pedestrians.”

The system is designed to to ensure vehicles on all sides of the intersection remain stationary while pedestrians cross – meaning they may also cross diagonally if they wish. The aim is to speed up the flow.

Audio-tactile push buttons fitted to traffic lights beep to tell pedestrians they may cross.

The system is to be installed at the eight intersections along the sections of Loop and Long Streets between Strand and Wale Street.

It is part of a R6.5 million overhaul of the traffic signalling system and is to improve the flow of vehicle and pedestrian traffic at 110 intersections.

These intersections are east of Buitengragt, west of Tenant Street, north of Annandale Road turning into Mill Street, and south of Table Bay Boulevard.

Herron said the system would synchronise traffic signals in a way that there would be less delay for road users.

The increase in pedestrian traffic in the city centre had made it necessary to improve signalling.

“According to the city’s latest household travel survey, up to 21 percent of the city’s residents walk to get to work and education facilities and social amenities.”

Pedestrian safety was a priority. The city would also improve pavements to make it easier for people to cross intersections. Pavements would be lowered at the end of each block for wheelchair users.