On a puffin crossing, pedestrian signal lights are mounted on the near side of the road. This puts the signal beside the person waiting to cross, rather than across the carriageway.
The arrangement distinguishes puffin crossings from older pelican crossings, whose pedestrian signals are normally mounted on the far side. “Puffin” comes from “pedestrian user-friendly intelligent”; the crossing uses detectors to monitor pedestrians and can adjust the crossing phase.
Near-side signals help pedestrians watch approaching traffic while waiting and place the display closer to people with visual impairments. A tactile rotating knob may also be fitted beneath the push-button unit.
A common mix-up is assuming the signal should remain visible throughout the crossing. Because the display is behind or beside the pedestrian after they begin walking, some people prefer far-side signals. Puffin crossings compensate with detectors that can keep vehicle traffic stopped until pedestrians have cleared the crossing.