Agreed, and having the button there allows for more flexibility in the future. I know some buttons that went from doing something, then nothing, then something

Agreed, and having the button there allows for more flexibility in the future. I know some buttons that went from doing something, then nothing, then something again. Like they now will make sound when its your turn to cross for people with impaired sight, but only if the button is pressed so people living nearby don't have loud crossing sounds going off all the time. Also some now activate flashing lights surrounding the crosswalk to alert drivers.