Countdown Timer for Pedestrians and Motorists at Major Traffic Light Junctions

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport whether the LTA will consider introducing the countdown timer for pedestrians as well as motorists at all major traffic light junctions.

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Mr Lui Tuck Yew: Pedestrian countdown timers are usually installed at signalised pedestrian crossings near schools and at busy junctions. Over the years, they have gained popularity and LTA plans to progressively implement more of them at other locations.

On vehicle countdown timers, LTA had conducted a trial earlier at the junction of North Bridge Road and Rochor Road where motorists were observed to display varying behaviours in reaction to the countdown timer. As the timer approached zero, some motorists applied the brakes to stop while others accelerated to beat the red light. Such differential behaviour increases the risk of rear-end collisions. Recent studies conducted overseas show similar behaviours.

Moreover, vehicle countdown timers are more suitable for traffic light systems that run on a fixed timing because the time will then be more predictable. In Singapore, we use a dynamic system to control and vary traffic light timing according to traffic flow and demand.