HCMC's removal of countdown timers on traffic lights will improve drivers' awareness: experts

Dr Phan Le Binh, deputy representative of OCG Japan Consulting Office, which provides consultancy in transportation, urban planning and environment, said traffic lights without the countdown are used in most countries since it does not offer significant benefits.

The Mai Chi Tho - To Huu intersection installed traffic lights without a countdown timer on June 27, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Van

Data from Oregon State University in the U.S. shows the countdown system is used only in around 20 countries, including Russia, India, Indonesia, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Most countries have countdown timers only at pedestrian crossings in places with high traffic density.

According to Binh, drivers often abuse countdown timers to run red lights or speed through yellow.

When the red light has a few seconds remaining, people already start honking, he said.

"In Japan, traffic lights don't have countdown timers. Drivers just wait for the light to change color and comply."

In Vietnam when the light turns yellow, vehicles must stop unless they are already on or past the stop line. This means they do not have to brake too suddenly even without the countdown timers, he pointed out.

"HCMC's pilot removal of countdown timers at several intersections will help monitor driving behavior."

The most important factors in safety are still drivers' attitudes and compliance with traffic rules, he said.

Ba Huyen Thanh Quan - Nguyen Dinh Chieu, District 3, one of the intersections being trialed without countdown timers at traffic lights, on June 26, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Gia Minh

Referring to possible concerns that drivers might struggle with signal changes without the timers, leading to sudden braking and potential collisions, Assoc Prof Dr Pham Xuan Mai, a member of the HCMC Urban Transport Advisory Council, said traffic laws already require vehicles to slow down at intersections regardless of the presence of lights or what color they are.

But many people speed through intersections, especially when the green light has only a few seconds remaining, he said.

Therefore, not knowing the remaining time will create the habit of reducing speed at intersections, he said.

A Cat Lai traffic police officer said speeding up when the green light has a few seconds left and crossing the line after the light turns yellow is very common.

Besides, people often start driving their vehicle at intersections when the red light still has a few seconds left, he said.

"This easily leads to collisions or blocks traffic, causing congestion.

"Without countdown timers, drivers will no longer speed up when the green light has only a few seconds left."

When approaching an intersection, people should drive at below 20 kph to maintain a safe distance and avoid collisions, he said.

"The distance around the intersection is only a few dozen meters. Drivers should slow down and can accelerate normally without losing much time."

Traffic lights with countdown timers at an intersection on Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Binh Thanh District, on June 29, 2024. Photo by VnExpress/Gia Minh

Dr Duong Nhu Hung of the HCMC University of Technology said many developed countries do not use countdown timers, but traffic characteristics admittedly vary from place to place, and so HCMC needs to trial the system to gather data for comparison and scientific evaluation.

The pilot should be implemented at various intersections with different traffic conditions to obtain comprehensive results since the timers are necessary in many places, he said.

The use of the timers should be based on the nature of an intersection and its traffic flow, he said.

At intersections that do not have heavy traffic, not having the timers would reduce hazards like speeding and running red lights.

But junctions with multiple roads and heavy traffic need timers for drivers to manage their speeds and lane changes from a distance, he pointed out.

Doan Van Tan, director of the city transport department's Urban Traffic Management Center, said trialing the removal of timers at four intersections is one of several solutions to manage traffic. The change would help observe road users' behavior and gradually create a habit of complying with traffic signals.

The cameras at the four intersections would help observe drivers' behavior, and authorities would base enforcement and traffic management plans for each area on this, he said.

The lights without the timers use short signal cycles to encourage people to wait since long waits often make them impatient and attempt to rush past the line and cause congestion, he said.

His agency would assess the traffic situation in each area to consider expanding this model, he added.