§ LORD CROOKasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have considered, and if not whether they will consider, an experiment in this country with the pedestrian crossing system in Tokyo, described as "Scramble", claimed both to reduce accidents and alleviate traffic congestion.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)My Lords, "Scramble" was first introduced in the U.S.A. some 25 years ago on a limited scale but has declined in popularity over the years. It is an all-red signal phase to drivers at junctions during which all vehicles are stopped and pedestrians are encouraged to cross in any direction, including diagonally. Little is known of the details of the Tokyo Scramble "system or the accident rate, though my right honourable friend is making further inquiries. However, any all-red phase needs to be as short as possible to avoid serious traffic delay. Long all-reds also mean long signal cycles and they lead impatient pedestrians to cross against the signals. They may also provoke disobedience by drivers. In my right honourable friend's view, on the basis of the information at present available to him, the best means of helping pedestrians at signalled junctions is to provide a short pedestrian phase though long enough to cater for472WA pedestrian demand. Where the volume of traffic prevents this, a short all-red phase is the best method.