From Bob Crozier
Mick Hamer points out that the illuminated green figure at crossings that tells pedestrians it is safe to cross the road often stays lit for only a few seconds in Britain (Technology, 17 May, p 21). As a result, he says, crossing the road can be a nightmare.
Soon after I arrived in Melbourne, I noticed that the road laws and the culture favoured pedestrians over vehicles. For example, the green figure is lit for a length of time that appears to be determined by the width of the road and the walking speed of an elderly person. As a result, all pedestrians manage to cross the road without undue difficulty.
The drivers of the waiting vehicles often have time to watch able-bodied pedestrians cross the road in front of them and continue along the footpath for a further 25 metres or so before the traffic lights turn green and allow the vehicles to proceed. During this time, the drivers wait patiently, even when on a three-lane section of a dual carriageway in an 80 kilometres per hour zone.
Perhaps this low-tech, fail-safe solution should be tried in Britain and tested against the smart traffic lights described in the article?
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Melbourne, Australia
