Pedestrian crossings are installed as the result of traffic and road usage studies which count the number of cars using the road and the number of people trying to cross at a specific point.
If you think there should be a crossing on a road near you please use our online reporting form. To report pedestrian crossing lights that are not working please use the Transport for Greater Manchester online reporting service.
There are many different types of pedestrian crossing but the two principal automated pedestrian crossings you are likely to come across in Salford, pelican and puffin, are described below.
A pelican crossing is controlled by traffic signals. Pedestrians push a button to register their desire to cross. The red man/green man indicator is located on the far side of the crossing.
Zig-zag markings are laid on both the approaches and the exits to the crossing. The zig-zags ban waiting or parking, prohibit vehicles from overtaking each other and warn pedestrians of the increased risk of crossing in the zig-zag area.
When the steady green man is illuminated check the traffic has stopped then cross with care. Keep looking and listening for traffic as you cross. There may also be a bleeping sound to assist the visually impaired. Some push button units are also fitted with a tactile knob under the unit which rotates when the green man is illuminated.
Once the green man starts flashing, there should be sufficient time to finish crossing the road if the pedestrian has already started.
A puffin crossing differs from a pelican crossing in several respects. In particular, the red man/green man indicator is positioned above the push button. This means that the pedestrian can see the oncoming traffic and the red man/green man at the same time.
When the green man is illuminated, check to make sure the traffic has stopped and then cross the road with care. There may also be a bleeping sound to assist the visually impaired. Some push button units are also fitted with a tactile knob under the unit which rotates when the green man is illuminated.
The puffin crossing also has detectors which will extend the time available for pedestrians to cross the road and a further set of detectors will cancel the demand for the crossing if the pedestrian moves away from the crossing area.
Zig-zag markings are laid on both the approaches and the exits to the crossing. The zig-zags ban waiting or parking, prohibit vehicles from overtaking each other and warn pedestrians of the increased risk of crossing in the zig-zag area.