Hong Kong to trial countdown timers on pedestrian crossing lights next year

The Transport Department said on Wednesday that it is planning to trial countdown timers on pedestrian crossing lights starting in 2023.  

The response came after Lawmaker Lau Chi-pang asked if authorities were considering relaunching the test scheme for the countdown timers to collect more data for full installation across the territory.  

The government had previously, in 2018, installed timers on pedestrian crossing lights at several locations in the city for trial purposes. However, it was understood that authorities subsequently decided not to install such timers in Hong Kong.  

Secretary for Transport and Housing Frank Chan Fan explained that the previous trials and studies have concluded that the devices brought no material improvement and benefit to pedestrian safety.  

“In 2006 and 2018, the Transport Department commissioned the City University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong, respectively, to conduct on-site observation and research on the trial of ‘pedestrian traffic light countdown device’ in Hong Kong to explore the effectiveness of the countdown device.   

“The results of the studies revealed that after the installation of the ‘pedestrian traffic light countdown device,’ more pedestrians are still crossing the road when the flashing ‘Green man’ light ended,” said Chan, adding authorities had decided not to further apply the “pedestrian traffic light countdown device” more extensively at that time.  

However, he noted that the department has been paying attention to the use of the “pedestrian traffic light countdown device” and the development of related technologies, thus, optimizing the operation of the device for trial.  

“For example, the countdown will start to display when the ‘Green man’ light is on, rather than upon flashing of the ‘Green man’ light,” he said.  

The department noted it will also integrate the operation with pedestrian sensors as well as the application of artificial intelligence to conduct trials at suitable pedestrian crossings.  

The design of the system and procurement of components are currently underway, and a detailed trial is expected to begin in 2023, said Chan.