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Sat behind a car that was too far back to trigger the left turn signal. After three rounds of light changes, had to get out of my car and approach the other driver to tell him to move forward.
Most times those buttons do work but sometimes they are just to make you think you are contributing. I read recently that they are disabled in NYC per ordinance. It is like the door close buttons on elevators that must now be disabled per the ADA. People were using them to shut the doors before slower people were able to get in and that violates the intent of the Disabilities Act.
When they do work, they do not speed up the timing of the traffic light. They do delay your light turning green to allow the person to cross. In the local college town all of the lights have a five second delay to allow pedestrians to cross.
The buttons aren’t there to make the walk signal any faster. They are there so that the walk signal will appear at it’s appointed place in the traffic light cycle. In a lot of intersections the walk signal won’t activate if no one has pressed the button.
I hate those things. All the ones near me were put in at busy intersections where the light had been coming on automatically with the changes in lights. Now, at those intersections, if a pedestrian doesn’t press it, the walk signal won’t show at all even though the stop lights are working at the same timings as before. If a pedestrian gets to the intersection right when the light is changing, it won’t turn the walk light on.
We have been calling these “pedestrian beg buttons” and feel the only use for them is to line the pockets of the people who make them. They should only be used at intersections where the red light won’t trigger unless a car pulls up or a pedestrian presses a button.
Zykoic about 3 years ago
The talking ones are so critical. “Weight, weight, weight,…”
Pickled Pete about 3 years ago
Sat behind a car that was too far back to trigger the left turn signal. After three rounds of light changes, had to get out of my car and approach the other driver to tell him to move forward.
Doug K about 3 years ago
a little like a close button on an elevator?
Differentname about 3 years ago
[nsfw] Fingering things at the intersection is why I lost my last job…
The Reader Premium Member about 3 years ago
Push button to relieve frustration.
DM2860 about 3 years ago
Most times those buttons do work but sometimes they are just to make you think you are contributing. I read recently that they are disabled in NYC per ordinance. It is like the door close buttons on elevators that must now be disabled per the ADA. People were using them to shut the doors before slower people were able to get in and that violates the intent of the Disabilities Act.
julie.mason1 Premium Member about 3 years ago
When they do work, they do not speed up the timing of the traffic light. They do delay your light turning green to allow the person to cross. In the local college town all of the lights have a five second delay to allow pedestrians to cross.
WCraft Premium Member about 3 years ago
They have those on elevators, too.
David_J Premium Member about 3 years ago
Those buttons are actually hooked up to vending machines in the DOT break room and every time you press it, someone gets a free soda.
Lablubber about 3 years ago
The buttons aren’t there to make the walk signal any faster. They are there so that the walk signal will appear at it’s appointed place in the traffic light cycle. In a lot of intersections the walk signal won’t activate if no one has pressed the button.
cuzinron47 about 3 years ago
They do get a work out, I’m guilty too.
hablano about 3 years ago
I use my elbows, too lazy to lift my hand all the way up there.
chromosome Premium Member about 3 years ago
I hate those things. All the ones near me were put in at busy intersections where the light had been coming on automatically with the changes in lights. Now, at those intersections, if a pedestrian doesn’t press it, the walk signal won’t show at all even though the stop lights are working at the same timings as before. If a pedestrian gets to the intersection right when the light is changing, it won’t turn the walk light on.
We have been calling these “pedestrian beg buttons” and feel the only use for them is to line the pockets of the people who make them. They should only be used at intersections where the red light won’t trigger unless a car pulls up or a pedestrian presses a button.