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Those San Francisco crosswalk buttons? 80 percent of them don't do anything to change the signal
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | August 2, 2017 | by Elizabeth Gerson

Posted on 08/02/2017 10:42:54 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer

Have you ever felt like those crosswalk buttons were placed at intersections around the city only to test your patience?

For 8 in every 10 crosswalk buttons in San Francisco, your frustration may be valid.

The Boston Transportation Department revealed that buttons scattered throughout Boston do absolutely nothing when pressed. When officials were asked why these buttons lacked function, they had a simple explanation: One person shouldn't be able to change complex traffic patterns in a major city.

In San Francisco, 251 of the 1,222 intersection crosswalk buttons are "pedestrian actuated,"meaning they actually affect the traffic lights and can change the signal, according to data provided by the SFMTA.

Each of the intersections with the "pedestrian actuated" feature can be found in the map below. Some of San Francisco's heaviest streets for traffic-changing buttons include First Street, Third Street, 19th Street, Bayshore, and the Embarcadero.

For the remaining 971 buttons, APS comes into play. The APS acts as an indicator to the visually impaired for when it is safe to cross the street. That explains the repetitive, jackhammer-like noise pedestrians hear from the buttons.

Ninety of the 251 pedestrian-actuated buttons have the dual purpose of APS and changing the traffic signals.

"Bottom line, if the button does not have a useful purpose, it is removed," Rose added.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: frisco
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1 posted on 08/02/2017 10:42:54 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I have wondered about this. I have often thought that they were nothing but placebos.


2 posted on 08/02/2017 10:45:30 AM PDT by Parley Baer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I have always suspected those buttons to be fakes in every place on earth.................


3 posted on 08/02/2017 10:46:15 AM PDT by Red Badger (Road Rage lasts 5 minutes. Road Rash lasts 5 months!.....................)
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To: Parley Baer

Agreed. I wonder if this is the case in most cities...


4 posted on 08/02/2017 10:46:30 AM PDT by kosciusko51
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Only 80%? Shocked they bothered to hook the others up to anything. Yes folks the crosswalk buttons of the world do nothing. What, did you think pushing the button would change the cycle of the lights and they’d all the cars stop for you?


5 posted on 08/02/2017 10:49:25 AM PDT by discostu (Things are in their place, The heavens are secure, The whole thing explodes in my face)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
San Fransicko crosswalk signs.

 

Image result for gay crosswalk sign

 

Related image

6 posted on 08/02/2017 10:50:11 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Like the door close buttons on elevators.


7 posted on 08/02/2017 10:50:52 AM PDT by robroys woman
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To: discostu

I think the only place they actually work is where it takes someone hitting the button to get the light to change at all.

As a motorcycle rider, on at least one occasion I got off my bike and hit the pedestrian crosswalk button to get the light to change.


8 posted on 08/02/2017 10:52:12 AM PDT by robroys woman
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I don’t think those buttons do anything throughout the entire US:-)


9 posted on 08/02/2017 10:52:55 AM PDT by Harpotoo
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
It's not the crosswalk buttons I worry about.


10 posted on 08/02/2017 10:57:27 AM PDT by DannyTN
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To: Parley Baer

You can just imagine 100 boys going to 100 intersections to test it out.


11 posted on 08/02/2017 10:57:59 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: Parley Baer

They are there to stop people from Jay walking / getting hit by cars.

If people think the light will change sooner by pressing the button, the more likely they will press it & stay put and not cross during the red.


12 posted on 08/02/2017 10:58:06 AM PDT by qam1 (There's been a huge party. All plates and the bottles are empty, all that's left is the bill to pay)
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To: Parley Baer

But it makes them “feel” like it works.


13 posted on 08/02/2017 10:59:30 AM PDT by unixfox (Abolish Slavery, Repeal the 16th Amendment)
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To: Responsibility2nd

That would have never happened in Mike Stone’s city.


14 posted on 08/02/2017 11:01:21 AM PDT by wally_bert (I didn't get where I am today by selling ice cream tasting of bookends, pumice stone & West Germany)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I do know that some in my neighborhood to work. If I see a pedestrian crossing I know I have more time to make the light.


15 posted on 08/02/2017 11:03:16 AM PDT by Parley Baer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I have trouble believing this.

In Seattle, most downtown cross walk signals are set to automatically come on, which might be what the author is talking about.

However, in the high traffic suburb area where I live, if you don’t punch the “Walk” button, the “Walk” signal NEVER comes on!


16 posted on 08/02/2017 11:06:44 AM PDT by zeestephen
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I know one thing, crossings aside, I am really tired of the signals in our little town giving “immediate” priority to side small side street traffic over main thoroughfare traffic.

The signals don’t even make side traffic wait one second to gain access over mass main street priority traffic. they turn in their favor immediately making everyone on the main street lock up their brakes for one car.

It’s completely backwards from what it should be and a true safety hazard.


17 posted on 08/02/2017 11:22:20 AM PDT by Openurmind
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To: Parley Baer

A typical pedestrian button isn’t intended to change the light to green right away. It’s supposed to alert the signal controller that the next green phase that is usually short should be extended by several seconds to allow pedestrians enough time to cross a wide street.


18 posted on 08/02/2017 11:23:48 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris." -- President Trump, 6/1/2017)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

They don’t do anything in Irvine CA either.


19 posted on 08/02/2017 11:27:23 AM PDT by chrisinoc
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

LOL - like elevator ‘call’ buttons?


20 posted on 08/02/2017 11:29:10 AM PDT by GOPJ (To totalitarians an open inquisitive mind is more dangerous than a Marine with a rifle-James Mattis)
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