BIKE: 80% of pedestrians don't understand walk/don't walk

[Jeb Boyt]

This news article (from where?) is a little misleading.  I'm not surprised 
that people aren't aware that a flashing signal means "don't enter the 
crosswalk."  Everybody crosses a street at a different pace, and a warning 
signal timed for the average, or slower than average, time it takes a 
pedestrian to cross the street doesn't necessarily provide a pedestrian with 
the information that they need:  "Do >I< have time to get across the 
street."

Despite all of the anocdotal reports of confusion with the numerical 
countdown, the article cites a survey showing that the countdown does 
improve crossings:  "On the other hand, the percentage of pedestrians caught 
in the crosswalk as the counter hit zero decreased from 17 to 11 percent."  
The countdowns certainly provide pedestrians with specific information for 
how long until the light will change.  They are also useful for when a 
pedestrian encounters a stale warning signal.

Also, as a cyclist, I value the Walk/Don't Walk signal because as I approach 
an intersection, the signal for the crosswalk along my route of travel 
indicates whether a Green light may be about to change.  Letting me know 
whether I will be able to cross the intersection safely before the light 
changes.

Jeb



----Original Message Follows----
From: "elizabeth gray" <egray88>
To: <forum-bicycleaustin.info>
Subject: BIKE: 80% of pedestrians don't understand walk/don't walk
Date: Thu, 12 May 2005 08:46:17 -0500

This is kind of off topic, but I was surprised that a study shows that 80%
of pedestrians don't understand the walk/don't walk signs.  And the new
count down makes it worse.
http://www.pti.org/toforum.asp?pref=http://www.pti.org/elib/publish/article_
3090.asp


They didn't mention inclusion of the beep at the beginning of the cycle;
I've read that really helps kids cross safely--and I love it when I'm on my
bike, such as the intersection of Guadalupe and 29th.

Elizabeth Gray
egray88



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