(Photo/Chengdu Economic Daily)

Traffic police have introduced a set of touch-sensitive traffic lights in Shuangliu District of Chengdu, capital city of southwest China’s Sichuan Province, to help pedestrians, especially young students, use the zebra crossing safely, Chengdu Economic Daily reported on Feb. 21.

Located at a zebra crossing on the first section of Yingchun Road, Shuangliu District, the traffic lights can be controlled by a 20-centimeter-wide post. On the post, a sign reads "please touch the back of the post to turn on the green light before crossing the road."

The touch-sensitive panel on the post is located less than 1 meter above the ground. As soon as someone puts his/her hand on the panel, the red light will start to flash together with a 12-second countdown. After the countdown, the traffic light over the zebra crossing will turn green, and pedestrians have 15 seconds to cross the road safely.

The touch-sensitive device has a particular setting to avoid excessive use by pedestrians, which could make it difficult for vehicles to drive through the area.

The device's periodic setting means that after pedestrians have crossed the road, cars can pass the section for 35 seconds, during which time any touch to the post will be ineffective.

There is a middle school and a primary school near the road, which made it difficult to ensure smooth traffic during rush hour in the past, said Mao Xiaofei, a policeman with the traffic police team of Shuangliu District, explaining that they have introduced the touch-sensitive device to improve the traffic capacity in the area.

“I’ve seen this kind of traffic light device in other cities before. It can help children to cross the road safely,” said a woman surnamed Chen, who was taking her daughter to school.

The touch-sensitive traffic lights went into service on Feb. 17, and have been successful so far, said Mao, adding that reasonable time intervals will be applied according to further trials.