Two criss-cross pilot projects have been set up in Calgary's Eau Claire area. (Rick Donkers/CBC)

Pedestrians in downtown Calgary can now cross the road back, forth and even diagonally thanks to a new type of crosswalk known as a criss-cross.

The city opened its first two pedestrian "criss-crosses" in the Eau Claire district at the intersection of 3rd Street and 2nd and 3rd Avenues S.W. on Wednesday.

This special type of crosswalk stops vehicles in all four directions while pedestrians cross the street in any direction they choose.

Vehicles at an intersection with criss-crosses must wait until the light turns green before making a right turn. But within five minutes of the criss-cross opening, several cars ignored the new rule and turned right as pedestrians began crossing.

Some cars also stopped in the middle of the intersection and then tried to back up as people attempted to walk through the criss-cross.

Ald. Druh Farrell acknowledged that while the crosswalks may be confusing at first for both drivers and pedestrians, she hopes everyone will soon catch on.

"We're testing it. We're seeing whether Calgarians will take to it," she told CBC News. "They may hate it. I don't think they will. I think they'll get used to it and enjoy it, but we'll see."

Within five minutes of the criss-cross opening, a car stopped in the middle of the intersection as pedestrians began walking. (Rick Donkers/CBC)

The new downtown criss-crosses are part of a $25,000 pilot project. Farrell said the city would monitor the success of the project and consider putting more of them in the city.

"We're keeping an open mind, and then we'll test it and see whether it is applicable in other areas," she said, noting criss-crosses only work in areas with a lot of pedestrian traffic.

The city said criss-crosses are considered safer and more efficient than traditional crosswalks.

"Our research shows that pedestrian criss-crosses decrease the likelihood of collisions between vehicles and pedestrians," said Ryan Vanderputten, the city's manager of Transportation Optimization, in a release.

"This innovative signal retiming also makes it easier for pedestrians as they can get on their way faster than waiting for another walk signal."

The city also reminded Calgarians that crosswalks only work well if both drivers and pedestrians follow the rules and observe all traffic signals and signs.