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This is pearl clutching of the highest order. If they can't see the labels at night so what? They use their daytime experience of expecting it to be automatic

This is pearl clutching of the highest order. If they can't see the labels at night so what? They use their daytime experience of expecting it to be automatic and wait awkwardly for nothing... or they push the button and the light changes eventually.

jasonhansel 4y ago
The issue is that people won't "wait awkwardly for nothing" forever. If someone can't see the label and is used to having it change automatically, they're likely to assume that the signal just "isn't working," causing them to cross without a walk signal. IMHO the biggest problem here is that the label doesn't meet the usual standards for road/pedestrian signage. In particular, "real" road signs are retroreflective so that you can see them easily under streetlights (or in car headlights). This is particularly important for signs that are only relevant at night. (Semipermanent signs should be made of a sufficiently durable material, which this...is not.)
- roxgib 4y ago
  But if you don't see the label the default assumption will be 'I need to press this button to cross', so they'll just press it for nothing during the day, which is hardly that bad.
  - asdajksah2123 4y ago
    Most of the world doesn't have these ridiculous buttons. A large number of people wouldn't expect to even ever having to press a button to get a pedestrian light. Most of Australia also doesn't have these buttons as far as I'm aware. So that's not most likely to be the default assumption at all.
    - Schroedingersat 4y ago
      All of australia has beg buttons. Some of them were disabled during covid.
- andsoitis 4y ago
  > causing them to cross without a walk signal. SURELY one always looks out for traffic, even if it is green for you!
  - jasonhansel 4y ago
    So: 1. At intersections with "leading pedestrian intervals" or "exclusive pedestrian phasing," walk signals provide unique safety benefits that reduce the risks posed by oncoming traffic. 2. This can be important: due to road geometry or other obstructions, it can be hard to see oncoming traffic from a distance, especially for the visually impaired. 3. Blind pedestrians can hear audible walk signals, but cannot see oncoming traffic at all. 4. At sufficiently complex intersections, it can be impossible for you to tell whether stopped cars are about to come towards you when a light changes. 5. Most importantly: walk signs usually tell you how soon a light will change, so that you don't start walking just before a light change. This is why walk signals reduce car-related fatalities, particularly at night, when people are most at risk.
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]
    - nhinck2 4y ago
      The sign and audio cues aren't being disabled, only the button.

jasonhansel 4y ago

The issue is that people won't "wait awkwardly for nothing" forever. If someone can't see the label and is used to having it change automatically, they're likely to assume that the signal just "isn't working," causing them to cross without a walk signal. IMHO the biggest problem here is that the label doesn't meet the usual standards for road/pedestrian signage. In particular, "real" road signs are retroreflective so that you can see them easily under streetlights (or in car headlights). This is particularly important for signs that are only relevant at night. (Semipermanent signs should be made of a sufficiently durable material, which this...is not.)

roxgib 4y ago
But if you don't see the label the default assumption will be 'I need to press this button to cross', so they'll just press it for nothing during the day, which is hardly that bad.
- asdajksah2123 4y ago
  Most of the world doesn't have these ridiculous buttons. A large number of people wouldn't expect to even ever having to press a button to get a pedestrian light. Most of Australia also doesn't have these buttons as far as I'm aware. So that's not most likely to be the default assumption at all.
  - Schroedingersat 4y ago
    All of australia has beg buttons. Some of them were disabled during covid.
andsoitis 4y ago
> causing them to cross without a walk signal. SURELY one always looks out for traffic, even if it is green for you!
- jasonhansel 4y ago
  So: 1. At intersections with "leading pedestrian intervals" or "exclusive pedestrian phasing," walk signals provide unique safety benefits that reduce the risks posed by oncoming traffic. 2. This can be important: due to road geometry or other obstructions, it can be hard to see oncoming traffic from a distance, especially for the visually impaired. 3. Blind pedestrians can hear audible walk signals, but cannot see oncoming traffic at all. 4. At sufficiently complex intersections, it can be impossible for you to tell whether stopped cars are about to come towards you when a light changes. 5. Most importantly: walk signs usually tell you how soon a light will change, so that you don't start walking just before a light change. This is why walk signals reduce car-related fatalities, particularly at night, when people are most at risk.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
  - nhinck2 4y ago
    The sign and audio cues aren't being disabled, only the button.