Pelican (Pedestrian light controlled) crossings are traffic signals used to control traffic at mid-block crosswalks. When activated, approaching drivers see a solid red light while the pedestrian is crossing and a flashing yellow during the pedestrian clearance interval; and crossing pedestrians see a red man/solid green man/flashing green man signal.  Pelican crossings may be staggered, providing separate traffic signals for each direction of vehicular travel and allowing pedestrians to interrupt traffic flow by direction.

Puffin (Pedestrian user friendly intelligent) crossings are similar in construction to Pelican crossings but have different operations and timing requirements.  Pedestrian signals are installed above the pedestrian push buttons, allowing pedestrians to see the indications and traffic at the same time.  Supplemental automated pedestrian detection also allows for the pedestrian phase to be extended while pedestrians are still in the crosswalk.

Toucan (Two can cross) crossings have the same form of vehicular detection as the Pelican and Puffin crossings and normally the same form of pedestrian on-crossing detector as the Puffin crossing.  They are meant to allow both pedestrians and cyclists to cross; as such, they use signal heads that combine both pedestrian and bicycle indications.

Most installations of the Pelican, Puffin, and Toucan crossings are accompanied by Zigzag markings that are placed in advance of the marked crosswalks. The standard pattern is four sets of markings on each approach.  The markings signal a ìno parking or passing zone to motorists.

• Cost of installation is significant for each crossing, comparable to a mid-block crossing
• There is some disruption to traffic flow, which can be minimized if the mid-block signal is part of a coordinated system
  There may not be traffic surges to give an audible cue about crossing intervals, so accessible pedestrian signals with a locator tone must be provided to inform visually impaired pedestrians that actuation of a signal is required to cross the major street and to indicate onset of the WALK interval; this increases the cost

(2) Lalani, N. Are Pelican Crossings Safe? Greater London Intelligence Bulletin, December 1975.

(3) Audible and Tactile Signals at Pelican Crossings. Traffic Advisory Unit Leaflet 4/91. London, UK: Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, November 1991. 

(4) Toucan, an Un-segregated Crossing for Pedestrians and Bicyclists. Traffic Advisory Leaflet 10/93. London, UK: Traffic Advisory Unit, Department of Transport, The Stationery Office, 1993;

(5) Toucan Crossing Development. Traffic Advisory Leaflet 4/98. London, UK: Traffic Advisory Unit, Department of Transport, The Stationery Office, 1998.

(6) The Zebra Pedestrian Crossings Regulations 1971. London, UK: Department of the Environment, September 1971;

(7) The Design of Pedestrian Crossings. Local Transport Note 2/95. London, UK: Department of Transportation, The Welsh Office, The Scottish Office, The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, The Stationery Office, April 1995.