Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System
PUFFIN crossings with the pedestrian sensor circled in red.
Puffin crossings are not needed at all signalized locations, but may be appropriate for signalized crossings where a relatively high frequency of pedestrians aged 65 and above and/or pedestrians with disabilities which result in slower walking speeds. While pedestrian detectors used for the Puffin crossing have been used fairly frequently in some European countries, there may still be a need to conduct some evaluation of their accuracy of various detector types at crossings in U.S. cities. Puffin technology is intended for use where there are traditional traffic signals with pedestrian signals and may be used with the Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons.
The Puffin Crossing is used in Tucson, AZ and Portland, OR. Detection devices are used (from the Department of Defense), which detects people in the crosswalk and keeps red lights flashing until the person is clear. HAWK beacons are used with this crossing.
One consideration is to use these at locations with wide variability in pedestrian crossing times, such as near senior centers.