Six signal lights were installed on 26 Oct. at the cross-junction of Kent Ridge Crescent and Architecture Drive at the National University of Singapore campus.

Low Meng Whye, project director, said the signals were installed “to enhance road safety, pedestrian safety and to minimise traffic congestion during peak hours.”

However, the traffic lights are still in trial runs, as “the system is not finalized yet,” according to Low, who is also the engineer for the Slope, Monitoring and Stabilization Department.

“The trial run will start at the end of November [and continue] to the end of December,” Low said. The trial runs are essential to help department to decide on the best timings for the traffic lights.

However, some drivers, such as Derrick Ng, a first-year communications and new media major, said the new signals were unnecessary.

“The traffic in the morning is really bad enough,” said Ng. “I don’t see how having these traffic lights will help. It’s just going to make it more congested.

 “I don’t understand the rationale for building these traffic lights. It’s not like you can speed in NUS. There’re too many humps on the lanes in school.”

Zhang Weiliang, a third-year computing major, agreed.

“I think it’s really irritating to have to keep stopping due to traffic lights in such a small space,” Zhang said.

“And, the distance between the traffic lights and the main (Clementi) road is far too short. You turn in from the highway and straight-away you’re faced with the traffic lights, and you have to stop. I foresee a long line of vehicles overflowing to the main road.”

According to the Office of Estate and Development, the decision to install the new signals was based on traffic surveys and traffic conditions in the morning.

Low said having traffic wardens stationed at the junction was not enough to reduce early morning congestion.

“Installing the traffic posts is a more appropriate method to handle the problems, as compared to doing it manually,” said Low.

Tham Hanyi, a third-year economics major, said she was relieved when she saw traffic lights being built at the cross-junction.

“That stretch of road is impossible to cross in the mornings and in the evenings,” she said. “It can get a bit alarming sometimes when cars just zoom past.”

Tham added that she and her friends have had a few close calls. She said she was almost knocked down once while trying to walk across the road.

“To a pedestrian like me, having these traffic lights will mean we don’t have to jaywalk dangerously anymore.”