Highways bosses have implemented a subtle change at traffic crossings in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus and ultimately help save lives.
The green man is now coming on for pedestrians crossing busy main roads that little bit sooner.
Around 19 seconds sooner in fact.
It's all part of a programme that has been implemented across Greater Manchester to limit people grouping together for long periods as they stand and wait on pavements to cross roads at lights.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said timings have been reduced at around 1,000 signalised crossings, which represents the vast majority of all crossings in Greater Manchester, the Manchester Evening News can reveal.
It's understood town centres and Manchester city centre have been prioritised.
The new average wait time, across Greater Manchester, is 87 seconds, compared to the original wait time of 106 seconds.
Highways bosses said with less traffic on the roads due to the lockdown, signals could be run to 'in a way better suited for pedestrians'.
It means key workers and those making essential journeys on foot are less likely to group together at busy crossings, creating social distancing.
The changes are in place during off-peak times only - and not at weekends.
Richard Dolphin, Highways Network Performance Manager at TfGM, told the M.E.N: "We have implemented an off-peak traffic signal programme across Greater Manchester during the week which means the average pedestrian wait time at a signalised crossing has been reduced by 19 seconds - 18 per cent of the usual wait time.
"This change was put in place to reflect the current traffic conditions.
"With much lower traffic volumes on our roads, we can run the signals in a way better suited for pedestrians, without causing any delays for traffic.
"For those who are taking essential journeys on foot, these changes mean people are less likely to group together at pedestrian crossings, helping them keep safe and maintain social distancing."
The mayor of Greater Manchester, meanwhile, today urged the public to abide by Covid-19 lockdown rules after a reported surge in people travelling on the roads this week.
Transport bosses revealed there were around 2.5 million trips on the region's road network on Monday - an increase of six per cent on the previous week.
And the figure is 22pc higher compared with four weeks ago.
Andy Burnham said there has also been reports of increasing numbers of people using public transport for non-essential reasons.
It follows a public health chief reporting on Wednesday a 'slightly worrying' increase in the number of private cars and vehicles recorded out on roads and motorways.
Professor Yvonne Doyle, medical director at Public Health England, said the 'use of motor vehicles' on Monday was the highest since the lockdown began.
She said: "This use of motor vehicles is the highest working day use since March 23.
"We really have to be vigilant.
"Most people are making huge efforts to stay at home and save lives and this is slightly worrying so please, do stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
"Go out for necessities and the transport data will reflect that."
The government has urged the public to avoid all non-essential travel.
