Islamabad has introduced its first pelican pedestrian crossings on Constitution Avenue, a signal-controlled system aimed at improving road safety and walkability in the federal capital.
New Signal-Controlled Crossings Debut in the Federal Capital
Islamabad has rolled out its first pelican pedestrian crossings on Constitution Avenue, marking a new step toward safer and more organised road use in the federal capital. Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Muhammad Ali Randhawa announced the development in a post on X, confirming that the crossings have been installed in front of the Secretariat. He also shared video clips of the newly installed facilities and indicated that similar projects would follow in other parts of the city. The initiative reflects a growing recognition that pedestrians, including office workers, students and visitors, need safer ways to cross some of Islamabad’s busiest corridors.
What Is a Pelican Crossing and How Does It Work?
Pelican crossings are pedestrian light-controlled crossings that coordinate signals for both vehicles and people on foot. Unlike simple zebra crossings, where drivers are expected to stop when they see pedestrians, pelican crossings use traffic lights and push-button controls to create a clearly defined “green man” phase for pedestrians and a red light phase for cars. When pedestrians press the button, the system triggers a signal change after a short wait, stopping traffic and allowing people to cross safely within a set time. Once the pedestrian phase ends, vehicle traffic resumes under normal signal control. This reduces confusion for both drivers and pedestrians and helps prevent risky, last-minute road crossings on fast-moving avenues like Constitution Avenue.
Why Constitution Avenue Was Chosen for the First Installations
The first pelican crossings have been installed along Constitution Avenue, one of Islamabad’s most sensitive and high-traffic routes. The road is lined with key government buildings and the Secretariat, drawing thousands of employees, officials and visitors every day. Despite wide carriageways and heavy vehicle flow, pedestrian needs have often been managed through conventional zebra crossings or informal crossing behaviour, creating safety risks at peak hours. By introducing pelican crossings at this location, the CDA aims to provide safer crossing points for people who regularly move between offices, parking areas and bus stops. The move is also expected to reduce sudden pedestrian movement in the middle of traffic, which can lead to abrupt braking, congestion and accidents.
Lahore Pilot Shows Growing Focus on Pedestrian Safety in Cities
Islamabad’s adoption of pelican crossings comes just days after a similar initiative in Lahore, underscoring a broader urban shift toward pedestrian-focused planning. The Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (TEPA) in Lahore recently approved the installation of pelican traffic signals at 20 major roads, following a successful pilot on Mall Road. In Lahore, the plan includes LED lights linked to traffic signals at zebra crossings, integrated with the Smart City system to record and analyse traffic data. These steps are aimed at improving pedestrian mobility, smoothing traffic flow and reducing the risk of crashes at busy intersections. Taken together, the Lahore and Islamabad projects indicate that major Pakistani cities are beginning to adopt more modern, data-informed traffic management solutions rather than relying solely on traditional signals and road markings.
Towards Safer, More Walkable Streets in Islamabad
Urban planners and safety advocates have long argued that walkability should be treated as a core part of transport planning, not an afterthought. The new pelican crossings on Constitution Avenue are a step in that direction, giving pedestrians clearer rights of way and predictable signal phases. If used properly by both drivers and pedestrians, the system can help cut down on dangerous mid-road crossings and encourage more people to walk short distances instead of relying on vehicles. CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa has signalled that more such initiatives will be launched across Islamabad, which could mean additional pelican crossings near schools, hospitals, markets and office clusters. For the changes to be fully effective, however, authorities will also need to invest in public awareness campaigns, signage and enforcement to ensure that motorists respect the red lights and pedestrians follow the crossing signals. If these elements come together, Islamabad could gradually move toward a safer, more pedestrian-friendly streetscape that better reflects the needs of all road users, not just vehicles.
