In use in Northern Ireland for a number of years the pelican crossing is to be introduced to Dublin.
Pelican crossings use a flashing amber signal to drivers and a flashing green signal to pedestrians.
The flashing amber signal will come after the red signal and will mean that drivers must continue to yield the right of way to pedestrians who have already started crossing the road. Drivers may proceed if there are no pedestrians on the crossing.
The green signal for pedestrians will start flashing after a period of continuous green. It signals that pedestrians who have already started crossing the road can proceed.
The pelican crossing was introduced in Northern Ireland in 1970. RUC Supt James Gilchrist explains how the system works. A pedestrian presses the button at the crossing and must follow the instructions indicated by the green, amber and red signal system. The green light remains constant for around six seconds, during which time the pedestrian may cross. The amber light then begins to flash, indicating that the pedestrian can continue crossing if they have already started. After this, the pedestrian light switches to red and pedestrians must not cross as the priority switches to the motorist. The new system means that the pedestrian controls how they cross the road as long as they follow the rules.
Unlike a zebra crossing, the pedestrian has mechanical control over the lights at a crossing.
We find that the pedestrian crossing is an excellent means of crossing the road in comparative safety and has reduced accidents at pedestrian crossings.
The new system also features a built in audio signal for the visually impaired.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 3 December 1975.
