After Lahore, Islamabad Gets First Pedestrian-Controlled Traffic Light

The local administration in the federal capital has installed the city’s first “Pelican Crossing” at Nadra Chowk on the Red Zone and at Constitution Avenue near the Secretariat, according to media reports.

The installation is currently operating as a test project to improve pedestrian safety in high-traffic areas. While this is a first for Islamabad, the technology is already operational in other parts of Pakistan, most notably in Lahore, on major arteries such as Mall Road, and within the Central Business District (CBD).

What is a Pelican Crossing?

For those unfamiliar with the term, a Pelican Crossing is a specific type of road crossing system. The name is a portmanteau derived from PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled crossing. This system allows pedestrians to control traffic signals rather than waiting for a fixed timer. 

The system features a push-button on a control box. When a pedestrian presses the button, the traffic signal turns red to stop vehicles, and a green walk light activates for the pedestrian. This ensures traffic is only halted when someone actually needs to cross.