SINGAPORE - A trial involving the use of light emitting diode (LED) strips to improve safety at pedestrian crossings is being enhanced and extended, with brighter strips and more test locations added, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on Wednesday (Feb 14).
The LED strips were originally introduced in May last year at two locations - the junction of Buyong Road and Orchard Road, and the Victoria Street crossing outside Bugis Junction - as part of a six-month trial.
The light strips - which go from green to red, reflecting the traditional Green Man and Red Man signals at pedestrian crossings - are aimed at ensuring all pedestrians, in particular those whose eyes are glued to their smartphones, cross the road safely.
In a statement, the LTA said: "Pedestrians provided positive feedback on the light strips as they served to improve road safety."
"However, pedestrians suggested that the brightness of the light strips could be enhanced for better visibility during the daytime," the authority added, noting that the strips have since been replaced with brighter versions.
Following positive feedback from pedestrians, the LTA is now extending the trial to the end of this year.
The LED strips are also being introduced at two other locations, the St Andrew's Road crossing in front of National Gallery Singapore and the Bencoolen Road crossing between OG Albert Complex and Sim Lim Square.
At these locations, the strips have been redesigned with green arrows to be "more intuitive" for pedestrians.
The strips at the St Andrew's Road crossing, which are being introduced on Wednesday (Feb 14), will first display a steady green light to indicate that pedestrians have the right of way to cross, followed by a flashing green light to warn them not to cross the road.
By the end of February, the strips in Bencoolen Street will flash dynamically in a sequential running green light when pedestrians have the right of way, said the LTA.
At both locations, horizontal strips will light up in a steady red when the Red Men pedestrian signal is on.
The timing allowed for crossings will be the same for the duration of the trial.
"During the extended trial, LTA will continue to conduct site observations as well as public perception surveys to seek views on these new traffic light strip designs and their effectiveness," said the LTA, adding that this would enable it to assess whether the strips serve to improve road safety.
