Hong Kong’s Transport Department (TD) will install new auxiliary devices at traffic junctions across the city to remind pedestrians who are busy on their smartphones not to cross the road when the red man symbol is lit. This is part of a six-month trial programme that begins in July and aims to increase road safety awareness among Hongkongers.
As part of the initiative, LED light modules will be mounted on traffic signals at four locations across the city. The module projects red light onto the pedestrian waiting area of a crossing when the red man symbol is lit. The aim of the red light, which reflects from the ground or mobile device, is to remind pedestrians looking down at their phones not to cross the road when the red man symbol lights up. The TD will evaluate the initiative after the six-month trial period ends.
So far, these LED modules have been installed at the Percival Street-Foo Ming Street junction. The TD will install them at three more locations in the coming month:
- Tsuen Wan Market Street (near Yan Chai Hospital)
- Sha Tin Centre Street (near Sha Tin Central Bus Terminus)
- Waterloo Road/Hereford Road
This development is the latest measure the government has taken to improve pedestrian safety in the SAR. In May 2022, the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Frank Chan Fan, said that the government will begin a detailed trial of the use of pedestrian traffic light countdown devices in 2023.
The devices will have a countdown display that will begin when the green man symbol is on, rather than when it flashes. They will be integrated with pedestrian sensors and artificial intelligence and installed at “suitable pedestrian crossings” next year.
Header image credits: Hong Kong Transport Department
