Not so bright: Why Melbourne’s fancy new traffic lights didn’t work

FIRST ON 3AW

A trial of footpath lights at Melbourne intersections has failed because the lights couldn’t be seen in daylight.

The $100,000, 12-month trial began last year in a bid to get the attention of pedestrians distracted by their phones.

But it was this morning revealed on 3AW Mornings that the lights aren’t bright enough to be seen for most of the day.

“While they were brilliant at night — everybody loved them at night — they were actually quite difficult to see in the day,” TAC boss Samantha Cockfield told Neil Mitchell.

“It’s a trial, and that’s exactly why we do trials.”

Ms Cockfield said the TAC was close to unveiling a new solution.

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