Types of changes

CYCLOPS junctions, or cycle-optimised protected signals junction, are appearing more and more in cities and towns across the UK.

The unique design of the CYCLOPS junction completely separates pedestrians and cyclists 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/stages to allow for movements around the junction, the CYCLOPS has other important benefits including -

• cyclist and pedestrian phases can run simultaneously
• pedestrian crossing times are shorter and closer to desire lines, including the potential for diagonal pedestrian crossings
• cyclists have 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 those who cycle to cross over the junction or make right turns unrestricted by cars or foot traffic, creating a safe route to 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 to cross the cycle lane for pedestrians. 

All motorised traffic stops at the lights whilst cyclists and pedestrians have their green light signal. 

Once pedestrians and cyclists have passed, motorised traffic will get the green light signal to continue driving and use the junction like normal.