November 3, 2006
First Pedestrian Countdown Timer Hits NYC
Yesterday the Department of Transportation installed the first countdown pedestrian signal at the intersection of Coney Island Avenue and Kings Highway. Here's how the city explains the timer:
The pedestrian countdown signals are the same size as the existing pedestrian signal head, but feature a dual display - the traditional "Walking Man" and "Hand" display, and a pedestrian interval countdown display. The countdown feature is programmed to start at the beginning of the "flashing hand" cycle and end when the flashing hand becomes steady. At the five test intersections pedestrians will be given a minimum 15-second countdown before the light changes.The city hopes people will see the timer and stay on the curb when the countdown is nearing zero. But will they? The NY Times has varying reactions to the timers - some say they'll underestimate their times. Even DOT Commissioner Iris Weinshall was skeptical and only okayed the program at the Mayor's insistence. Countdown timers have been in San Francisco since 2001, and the NY Sun says that "a reduction in pedestrian collisions and an increase in compliance with the signals" have been seen in studies there.
The six-month pilot program was announced six months ago. The other test locations will be:
- In Staten Island at Hylan Boulevard & New Dorp Lane
- In Queens at Hillside Avenue & 179th Place
- In Manhattan at Avenue of the Americas & West 8th Street
- In the Bronx at Southern Boulevard & East 149th Street
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We have those here in Columbia, SC, and they are very effective. I actually thought they had been in use in NYC before they reached us, but evidently not.
I can't believe the city didn't already have some of these. They're all over Journal Square over in Jersey City.
pedestrians don't need a stopwatch; they need to be granted more time to cross.
these countdowns only tell pedestrians-- particularly slower ones-- what they already know: they don't have enough time to cross. without additional crosstime, more pedestrians will run and trip than will be spared.
San Franciscio -- where's that?
It would be great if the Gothamist staff could get Firefox 2.0, and turn on the built-in spell check. You'll get a little red line under words that are problems, and then can right-click for correction suggestions or add the word to the dictionary.
And if you for some reason are stuck with Internet Explorer, get IESpell for built-in spell checking there, although it's not fully automatic as you type.
These are all over the bay area. They also help with red light running because you can see how much time you have to clear an intersection as well.
We have those here in Columbia, SC, and they are very efficient. I thought that they had been in use in NYC before they reached us, but evidently not.
They have these in DC, too. When I was there in August (ack, was it hot!), I didn't mind the countdown, though sometimes I found myself trying to outrun the timer. Can I really get across Connecticut Ave. in two seconds' time? I did try, though, and i made it!
Also, what's that little blue box on top of the sign? A camera?
"You will be flattened by traffic in 4, 3, 2..."
Weak. Very weak. Takes the fun out of crossing the street.
so, now it will be the pedestrians' fault if they get hit by a car because they did not time their walk across the crossing adequately??? totally stupid!! this strikes me as just another way to lay the blame on the pedestrian as opposed to blaming and solving the REAL problem: motorists and their cars.
sheesh!!
boy, i thought we had these here, but yeah, they'll all over the west coast and probably ever other city i've lived in. btw, does anyone know why there's like no 'walk/don't walk' signs on park avenue in the 50s? I'm hardly ever there but when I am, it's crazy trying to cross there cause you can't really see the traffic light so great if it's changing so it's a total gamble crossing there. it's ridiculous not to have anything there.
This city is so advanced. We always get the latest and greatest technology before anyone else.
I hear we might get a subway with a predicable schedule soon! There's also talk of accepting credit cards in cabs! Capital of the world, bitches!
This city is so advanced. We always get the latest and greatest technology before everyone else.
I hear we might be getting a subway with a predictable schedule soon! There's also talk of accepting credit cards in cabs! Capital of the world, bitches!
I completely misread that title as I skimmed it, what with all the cars hitting pedestrians recently.
I don't know if this will help much. I was in DC last weekend and had the same mindset in regards to running towards the blinking hand. Though I suppose seeing a 3 or 4 next to it gave me pause to think.
boy, i thought we had these here,
Wait, what? Do you ever go outside? Do you ever cross the street? Have you ever noticed that we definitely don't - or at least, did not until now - have those at all?
boy, i thought we had these here,
Wait, what? Do you ever go outside? Do you ever cross the street? Have you ever noticed that we definitely don't - or at least, did not until now - have those at all?
re. lack of cross signals on park ave south of 60th street or so
the nyt actually answered that question just a week or two ago. apparently all of grand central's wiring and signals beneath the street have hindered placement of cross signals (remember, the street was built "only" about 70-80 years ago and built above the tracks....). the city may add signals finally in the near future (snicker, snicker). pretty stupid, huh?
I actually think it is a great system. They have these types of lights in Taipei and they work there.
I think while many of us seasoned NYers have already timed teh lights near our homes/jobs this system will be great for the younger crowd and the out of towners.
Is that a little surveillance camera attached to the top of the signal box?
I just saw a woman get hit by a car on 36th st & 5th Ave. We NEED this shit!
Avenue of the Americas?? Please.
so it'll now be like a yellow traffic light? when it's nearing zero it's time to speed up?
GRAND ARMY PLAZA! PLEASE! What a frightmare crossing the street there is.
these will never work in the south bronx. people there walk like they have bumpers.
It's kinda funny-sad how behind NYC is.
Money would be better spent on more cameras to catch the 90% of motorists that roll through just-turned-red lights.
When I was first learning to drive (in Brooklyn), I was told to watch the walk/don't walk sign as a clue to when the light would change in my favor. Cabbies and most native NYer's do this all the time -- now they will have a countdown, and blast off at the exact nanosecond the light changes. Likely result: more deaths!
Personally, I miss the old walk/dont walk signs -- proved we were a literal city. Never bought into the "tourists don't understand them" logic -- couldn't they figure out that the second word (don;t) was a negation of the other. Besides, I am sure they were busy trying to understand why we had any walk signs at all, since they are totally meaningless to pedestrians!!!!!
The countdown is more of a challenge than an aid. How about sensors that keep the pedestrians crossing while the cars wait. When all the pedestrians are clear, the cars can go. Eneterprising people could sell the drivers reading material while they wait.
I don't think the signal pictured is in NYC, since I did see it on the news and it was a standard NYC yellow signal.
Now what is this "Avenue of the Americas" you speak of?
it's about time, Now we can officially get the Olympics here. No more excuses, we got the countdown walk signal. What more do we need to show the olympic committee.
They have these in Santiago, Chile, too.
They already blink red for a few seconds before turning solid red. We need timers now? This is a racket to give more money to the same company that replaced the old "walk/don't walk" lights.
The box on top is a speaker for signals for the hearing impaired.
They are all over Canada & I think they are great
right after they install them on Avenue of the Americas, maybe they can add some to Museum Mile.
Big deal! It's just another excuse for people to totally ignore the crosswalk signal . You have to get the stupid people talking on there cellphones to PAY attention to the damn signal first ! That's the only way this whole program will be a sucess story in N.Y. ! Just because it's rooted in terms of a great idea, Doesn't necessarly translate into smart move ! People first , Then bright idea's !