CYCLOPS junctions, or cycle-optimised protected signal junctions, are appearing more and more in cities and towns across the UK.
The unique design of the CYCLOPS junction completely separates pedestrians and people cycling from motor traffic at junctions, reducing the possibility of collisions or conflict. Pedestrians are also able to get where they want to be in fewer stages with more space to wait than on other junction designs.
As well as minimising the number of potential signal phasing and stages to allow for movements around the junction, the CYCLOPS has other important benefits, including -
- people cycling and pedestrian phases can run simultaneously
- pedestrian crossing times are shorter and closer to desire lines, including the potential for diagonal pedestrian crossings
- people cycling have a protected right turn on a gentle radius and can filter left without signal control
- journey times for all modes navigating the junctions, including motor traffic, are not negatively affected
How CYCLOPS junctions work
There are two 'movement rings’, one ring of the junction is a cycle path, acting like a roundabout with signal-controlled crossings. This will allow people cycling to cross the junction or make right turns without being restricted by cars or foot traffic, creating a safe route for travel.
The other ring of the junction is dedicated to pedestrians, with those walking and cycling getting the same green light signal in all directions at the same time, but on a separate ring of paths in the middle of the junction.
There are well-defined zebra crossings on each side of the junction to provide a safe place for pedestrians to cross the cycle lane.
All motorised traffic stops at the lights, while people cycling and pedestrians have their green light.
Once pedestrians and people cycling have passed, motorised traffic will receive a green signal to continue driving and use the junction as normal.
Current projects
