On the morning of May 24th, at the intersection of Zhongshan 5th Road and Jixiang Road in Guangzhou, City traffic Police tested the first count-down calculagraph for pedestrians. Using this device citizens may cross streets with confidence, knowing how much time remains for each green signal.

The working principle of the new calculagraph is identical to the SCATS (Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System) device which modifies signal operations intelligently according to the traffic flow. The crossing time is worked out by the device which divides the width of the road by the average walking speed (1.2 meters per second), prolonging it a little, with the remaining seconds being shown by a flashing green light.

Wang Shiming, an engineer with the facility section of the traffic police detachment in Guangzhou, states that the new calculagraph was introduced using techniques established in Shanghai. Wang noted that, at present, this is the only one in Guangzhou city; and that it is a trial set-up. After testing the system at this intersection for a period of time, and hearing comments from all concerned, the traffic police will install the devices throughout the city.

Editor: Yan