Automated pedestrian crossings in the Sydney CBD
The automation of pedestrian signal crossings has been active in the Sydney CBD centre 24 hours a day, seven days a week since the initiative was first rolled out on in March 2020 to help limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the community.
Semi-permanent plastic hard covers were installed in August 2020 over the push buttons at activated sites to help pedestrians clearly identify where the 24 hour automation was in effect.
From mid-December 2022 Transport for NSW is removing the push button hard covers but maintaining the automation of pedestrian crossings at traffic signals during daytime hours. This is to reduce overnight noise for local residents and allow for more efficient intersection operation for all users when activity is low.
Pedestrian crossings in the Sydney CBD remain automated from 6am to 10pm, seven days a week. See map below for the area where the automation is in effect.
Pedestrians do not need to push the button during these hours as the pedestrian crossing will be called automatically. This allows pedestrians to continue to cross the road safely and efficiently while limiting contact with high-touch surfaces during the busiest times of the day.
Intersections where the automation is in effect from 6am-10pm daily will be labelled on the push button console.
Between the hours of 10pm and 6am, pedestrians need to manually push the button as normal to call the pedestrian crossing phase.
Accessibility features including beeps, tones and vibrations will be maintained as normal.