A man has been taken to hospital in a stable condition after stepping in front of a light rail vehicle and being struck in Canberra's CBD on Saturday morning.

According to Transport Canberra, he had walked into the path of the vehicle despite a red light indicating pedestrians should wait.

The light rail network has been undergoing testing in recent weeks, after construction was completed in December.

Emergency services were called to the corner of Cooyong Street and Northbourne Avenue at about 7:45am after the man was hit.

Transport Canberra said the man, described as a young adult, had an arm injury and he remained conscious throughout the incident, which also damaged the light rail vehicle (LRV).

Sean Whitfield, who drove past shortly afterwards, said he saw a crack on the windscreen of the vehicle and a man lying on the ground receiving treatment from ambulance paramedics.

"There was a bloke on the ground and he had a pillow under his head," Mr Whitfield said.

"And then I saw that the windscreen of the light rail had a big crack through it."

The ACT Emergency Services Agency said the man was in a stable condition in hospital.

Vehicle travelling no faster than 50kph

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Transport Canberra's deputy director general Duncan Edghill said the man was wearing headphones when he stepped into the intersection, despite the pedestrian red light.

He said the driver of the vehicle saw the man and braked immediately, but was unable to stop before making contact.

"The pedestrian, it seems, stepped in front of the LRV against the red light and with his headphones on," Mr Edghill said.

"We understand he's got an arm injury — so he wasn't caught under the vehicle.

"The issue is he has crossed against the red signal and in doing so, and with headphones in, has stepped into the path of the LRV."

The driver was "shaken" and would be offered counselling, he said.

"I've spoken to the driver and the driver did the right thing," Mr Edghill said.

The vehicle was going no faster than 50kph, according to speed limit rules for light rail passing through intersections.

Light rail operation resumed later in the morning.

"Canberra Metro has been in contact with WorkSafe and they have been in contact with various other regulators," Mr Edghill said.

He urged Canberrans to take care and observe their surroundings.

"Again, we ask the Canberra community to be particularly mindful that light rail vehicles are operating between Gungahlin and the city, and they should pay particular attention to what they're doing when they're crossing the road," he said.

"I think we can't get the message out there enough to the Canberra community that they really need to pay attention."

But he said he did not hold any greater concerns for safety following the incident.

"My level of concern hasn't changed — it is a risk that exists with all sorts of public transport," he said.

The light rail vehicle sustained only minor damage and Mr Edhill said it was expected to be operational again "very soon."

Education campaign about safety already in place

In February, Transport Canberra urged those using the roads and footpaths to make use of a safety campaign they were running ahead of the light rail network's launch.

While the network was yet to take passengers, road rules applying to light rail were already in place.

They indicate to drivers where changing traffic light sequencing would occur to allow for the light rail vehicles.

Titled Are You Ready?, the campaign targets driver confusion over light rail and includes instructions for pedestrians.