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Friday May 24, 2013

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Could crossing countdowns bring down the road toll?

Posted by: Ellen Feely | 16 October, 2012 - 3:06 PM
Timed traffic lights. (Photo: Traffic Technologies)

Image: Timed traffic lights (Traffic Technologies)

VicHealth has called for new measures to help cut the road toll and make the streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, including crossing countdowns.

Con Liosatos, Managing Director of Melbourne-based business Traffic Technologies, which produces pedestrian lights which countdown how much time remains to cross the road, said while interest had been shown in the technology interstate and overseas, none had been shown from Victoria.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Do you think having timed pedestrian lights will reduce accidents? Comment below

Mr Liosatos told Denis Walter his business had won a contract to install the technology in London after studies showed it was a safer way to cross the road, with headphones and mobile phones proving a dangerous distraction for pedestrian.

”You get the green man to walk across the road, and then you'll see that after a certain period of time a red man appears that starts to flash,” Mr Liosatos said.

”Instead of flashing red, it starts counting down how much time you have left to cross the road.”

Mr Liosatos said both the Adelaide and Brisbane City Councils had expressed interest in the product.

VIDEO: 'Pong' pedestrian crossing in Germany... The next, next step for traffic lights?

VicHealth has also recommended research into how long it takes for children, the elderly and intoxicated people to cross the street in order for lights to be adjusted accordingly; encouraging pedestrians to ‘keep left’ on shared walking/cycling paths; exploring extending 40km/ph zones to regional city centres; and assessing the effectiveness of high-visibility clothing in reducing cycling accidents.

LISTEN: Con Liosatos, managing director of Traffic Technologies, speaks with Denis Walter:

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Blog comments Your Say

  • HaHA,, in other countries the countdown clock is for the cars.. not the pedestrians!!!

    David R Tuesday 4 December, 2012 - 9:27 AM

  • What a waste of money during tough times. If there's only 2 seconds left to cross the roads, people are still gonna cross, but in a mighty big rush. This is just complicating things more. Keep it simple. When the little, man flashes; don't cross! Hey, isn't this sexist? How come they don't have a woman flashing? Lol.

    Clay Tuesday 16 October, 2012 - 9:07 PM

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