Are those things above traffic lights cameras or scanners.?

Question

I mean the the scanners that appear to befocusing on the traffic. they are however usually found at pelican crossings.

Answer 1

They could be different things. Some traffic lights have cameras attached that photograph vehicles that jump red lights (you'll see a warning sign on the apprach to the lights just as you do with speed cameras). Some lights have traffic sensors that detect approaching traffic and change to green (if and when appropriate), some have both.

As far as I'm aware the MIRT technology mentioned in the previous answer isn't used anywhere in the UK. Changing lights to green to allow passage of emergency vehicles is done at the traffic control centres and is what's referred to as a 'green sweep'.

Answer 2

Do you mean the detectors on Puffin crossings that detect whether or not a pedestrian has completed crossing the road or not?

Answer 3

I believe it is for Emergency vehicles, that use a Mirt, mobile infrared transmitter, its to change the lights from red to green.

Answer 4

I dunno, dont know about pelican crossings, have only seen zebra crossings.