Covers on pedestrian push buttons installed at the start of the pandemic are being removed from Sydney intersections, but traffic lights will remain automated in the CBD during the day.
Two years ago health authorities told Sydneysiders "do not push the button" due to fears about COVID spreading via surfaces.
Crossings in the city and inner-city suburbs and near hospitals were automated and covers placed over the pedestrian "call" buttons in March 2020.
They were initially made of cardboard, but after many of those were ripped off, they were replaced by semi-permanent plastic covers that could be drilled on.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said it had begun removing the blue covers "as restrictions have lifted across the state and the number of COVID-19 cases continues to reduce in the community".
The spokesperson confirmed all covers would soon be uninstalled, although no deadline had been set.
Australian National University infectious diseases expert Peter Collignon said the effect of the covers on COVID transmission had likely been "minuscule".
"While you can find COVID on surfaces, the reality is it's mainly spread by people spending time with other people indoors," Professor Collignon said.
In retrospect, he said it was not worth spending the money installing the covers, but spending a small amount of money on it was not unreasonable given what was known at the time.
Giving a sense of control
Transport for NSW said crossings around health precincts were no longer automated and covers had been removed so pedestrians could push the buttons.
However, pressing the button in the CBD during daylight hours will make no difference because the traffic lights will remain on a fixed timer.
Traffic engineer Zoran Bakovic said a system that responded to pedestrian demand to cross the street was better for traffic flow, rather than making cars stop at red lights when there may be no-one waiting.
He said it also gave those on foot more of a sense of control which could ultimately reduce accidents.
"You actually feel better if you have the impression that you are in control of something," Mr Bakovic told ABC Radio Sydney.
"So therefore, by pressing the button, you will actually get that feeling, so more likely than not people may wait or be more patient to cross the street than otherwise."
He said Transport for NSW's decision to continue using automation in the city should be backed by data.
He said at consistently busy intersections it may make sense to keep the lights on rotation, but it depended how long people had to wait.
"A worldwide survey indicates that after 30 seconds, pedestrians become impatient and start looking for an opportunity to cross the road on the red light."
