1.   Introduction

With the penetration of handheld smart devices, pedestrians using signalised crossings are more prone to pay more concentrations on their mobile devices with their heads nodding downwards, and less attention to the traffic signals. To draw pedestrians' awareness of the traffic signal and upkeep safety at the crossings, we have launched a trial in July 2022 by installing auxiliary devices at 4 locations with signalised crossings to remind pedestrians not to cross the road when the "red man" is lit.
   
 

2.   Components of the auxiliary device

3.   LED light module

The module projects red light onto the pedestrian waiting area of a crossing when the "red man" is lit. The red light reflects from the ground or mobile device could serve to remind the pedestrians regarding the "red man" of the traffic signal, in particular when their heads are nodding down looking at the mobile devices.

4.   Extension arm

5.   Characteristics (How it works)

• The red light is emitted only when the "red man" is lit. It goes off when the "green man" or flashing "green man" is on.
• The red light intensity is adjusted automatically to suit ambient light conditions.
• The red light emitted by the device is safe to pedestrians.
• Auxiliary in nature – the device serves to support the current functions of pedestrian traffic signals in auxiliary fashion, rather than a replacement of them. Pedestrians are advised to follow the traffic signals (i.e. "red man", "green man" and flashing "green man") when they cross the road.

6. Trial and effectiveness

The following locations have been selected to install the auxiliary devices for trial. We have also engaged a professional team from the University of Hong Kong to evaluate the effectiveness of the auxiliary devices. The evaluation result reveals a positive effect after the installation of auxiliary devices, with the overall proportion of red-light running by pedestrians at crossings reduced by about a quarter.

7. Roll-out plan