Puffin crossing

These sensors detect if pedestrians are crossing slowly and can hold the red traffic light longer if needed.

[2] A second reason for the design is that having the lights closer to the user assists visually impaired people who could have difficulty viewing the signal from across the carriageway.

An on-crossing detector ensures that the signal for vehicles remains red until pedestrians have finished crossing (within practical limits).

The indicator box itself also blocks the view of the road completely for shorter pedestrians due to being installed at head height.

[citation needed] In 2014, Transport for London announced that they would stop installing Puffins, saying that "Pedestrians have previously indicated to us that they dislike the uncertainty of not knowing whether the 'green man' is still lit once they have started crossing, which happens with nearside signals."