By John Greenfield
[This also runs in Time Out Chicago, www.timeoutchicago.com]
What’s up with those push-to-walk buttons at intersections? Do they work or are they just there to make you feel empowered?
Good question. The New York Times reported NYC deactivated most of its pedestrian switches in the 1980s but thousands of sucker buttons were still in place by 2004. CDOT’s Brian Steele assures us this isn’t the case here. “When you press it activates the walk signal and lengthens the green,” he says. Does rapid-fire jabbing help? No, says Steele. “It’s like an elevator – pushing once is enough.” Some newer stoplights are programmed so that, late at night, side streets never get a green unless a waiting motorist or ped is detected. Under-pavement sensors automatically register cars but if you don’t notice the button you’ll never get a signal. Unfair, but Steele promises CDOT’s researching pedestrian-triggered automated walk signals. ‘Round midnight we tried to cross busy Chicago Ave. at sleepy Paulina St. and found Steele’s right. If we pushed the button in any manner, or if a driver was also waiting to cross, we’d get a walk signal in about a minute. Not pressing meant our light stayed red indefinitely. So as Curtis Mayfield sang, “Keep On Pushing.”
One very annoying thing about the buttons though is that if you don't push it, you don't get the signal, even if there's a green light. These have been popping up around Lakeview, such as at Broadway/Cornelia and Sheridan/Barry. I see people standing there through multiple cycles waiting for the cross signal, while cars going the same direction get a green. It also means when you approach a green light, you can't tell how long you have to cross -- whereas at a normal signal you'd have a walk signal or flashing hand, these intersections permanently say not to cross unless you were there to push the button.
ReplyDeleteCDOT should always assume that pedestrians will be crossing if the light is green.
I agree with the previous commenter. I am blind and do not look for actuated signals everytime I want to cross a street. I listen to the traffic flow and go when I am protected by traffic that is going the direction I need to travel. I wouldn't know the difference since we do not have universal audible signals in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it might be reasonable to assume there are always pedestrians in Lakeview, but I don't think CDOT should assume that there will always be a pedestrians in some lower density parts of the city. I think the solution is to make sure the push buttons, where they exist, always have an audible tone, like Maureen suggested.
ReplyDeleteThe white walk signal is not always shown as the computer is waiting for a break in the stream of traffic (or until the signal has been green for some maximum amount of time.) After a period of no cars the signal immediately turns to amber, and then red, as to minimize the waiting period for cross traffic. The walk signal and timer are not shown in this case because the computer does not know when the break in traffic will occur. The pedestrian walk button must be pressed to let the computer know you are crossing so it may guarantee you the time you need to cross. Additionally main roads will typically have their light programmed to stay green until a vehicle is detected on their cross street. This prevents stopping traffic for no cross traffic.
ReplyDeleteNước hoa hồng ngoài việc có thể tưới tắm cho làn da, còn có nhiều tác dụng khác. Như quân bình độ PH của da, giúp da khôi phục lại trạng thái yếu tính axit; mềm hóa chất sừng giúp cho da hấp thu dễ dàng các chất dưỡng da...nên tìm hiểu xemsử dụng nước hoa hồng một ngày mấy lần
ReplyDeleteNhũ hoa thâm sạm là dấu hiệu thường thấy ở phụ nữ đang mang thai và cho con bú. Chính vì thế, bài viết này sẽ chia sẻ cho chị em phương phápcách làm hồng nhũ hoa bằng mật ong
Nếu bạn đang loay hoay đi tìm cho mình một phương pháp trị rụng tóc hiệu quả từ nguyên liệu tự nhiên, hãy thử sử dụng nha đam nhé, bạn sẽ thấy kết quả thật bất ngờ đó. Sau đâycách trị rụng tóc bằng nha đam
Tìm hiểu những cách tăng cường sinh lý nam
Sinh lý nam trong giai đoạn trung niên hay gặp phải tình trạng suy giảm sinh lý. Tìm hiểuphương pháp tăng cường sinh lý nam
Tăng cường sinh lý nam luôn có nhiều phương pháp khác nhau tìm hiểubí quyết tăng cường sinh lý nam
Yếu sinh lý là nơi cương cứng hoặc các tín hiệu không do suy nghĩ hay cảm xúc (do tâm lý của chủ thể) chứ không phải là do khả năng vật lý của các mô cơ tại dương vật, điều này thường ít xảy ra nhưng có thể chữa được.Tìm hiểucách tăng cường sinh lực nam
Suy giảm ham muốn tình dục ở nam giới là vấn đề tế nhị, không phải bất cứ người đàn ông nào mắc phải nó cũng sẽ nói ra, trong đó không ngoại trừ cả tôi và bạn. Suy giảm ham muốn tình dục ở nam giới không phải là bệnh lý. Cùng tìm hiểuphương pháp tăng cường sinh lý nam
Sinh lý nam trong giai đoạn trung niên hay bị suy giảm thể lực sinh lý cho nên việc tìm hiểu những cách tăng sinh lý nam
Thanks bài viết của admin
ReplyDelete……………………........
Nguồn: www.thuocsinhlynam.com
Xem ngay: "Thuốc tăng cường sinh lý" an toàn, hiệu quả chính hãng từ Mỹ. To hơn - Khỏe hơn - Lâu hơn!
The post is really superb. It’s varied accessory information that consists during a basic and necessary method. Thanks for sharing this text. The substance is genuinely composed. This web log is frequently. PLease coming our site webstagram to see top hasshtag on instagram.
ReplyDeleteIf you feel like you have lost the zeal and intimacy of your sexual life then a reliable sexologist in Delhi is something that you certainly need. He has registered himself in the list of the top reputed sexologist. You have got it here! He is an honorable name in the industry of sexologist treatment.
ReplyDeleteYour article so unique and usefull and thanx for sharing this content.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.bestsexologistdelhi.in/