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Traffic lights and signals

Traffic signals provide many benefits to road users,helping pedestrians and cyclists cross the road in safety and provide better priority for public transport.

Buses may be given priority through the use of electronic equipment installed in the signals and in the bus.

Turning manoeuvres for cyclists are made safer and easier to accomplish through the provision of advanced stop lines and approach lanes. Pedestrian phases may be introduced to assist crossing the road.

Puffin crossings are gradually replacing basic pelican crossings. The puffin crossing incorporates features that monitor pedestrians crossing the road in order to give more crossing time for those who need it.

Toucan crossings are provided at locations where there are likely to be significant numbers of cyclists, allowing them to cross the road safely without having to dismount.

Traffic signals are also being increasingly used on Hertfordshire's roundabouts. Whilst roundabouts have coped well with traffic in previous years the increasing traffic load has created some hotspots for traffic jams at roundabouts. The introduction of traffic signals on roundabouts has significantly improved conditions for all road users.

Hertfordshire has just under 500 traffic signals - most of these are pelican crossings set on main distributor roads such as Ware Road in Hertford.

The traffic lights are inspected and maintained on a regular basis, with replacements being made to control points as when when new technology is available. It is estimated that a traffic signal will need to be replaced once every fifteen years, and this is built into Hertfordshire Highway's works programme.