Jay Clark wrote:
> In London, I saw pedestrian crosswalks that had two big yellow globes
> on two poles, one on either end of the cross walk.
>
> When a pedestrian wants to cross the road, she pushes the walk button,
> and then, and only then, the two globes flash on and off.
>
> The drivers are acclimated to expect a pedestrian in the crosswalk
> whenever the globes blink on and off, and automatically stop.
Earlier this year, I had an opportunity to use a similar system in
Boulder, Colorado. The signs had lights on them, actually, attached to
the sign face. These lights would strobe when the pedestrian pushed the
crossing button. Most drivers came to a reasonably safe and fast stop.
These signs remove the uncertainty of many pedestrian crossings and also
draw attention to the pedestrian. From my personal experience as a
driver, many times I have been uncertain as to whether or not a
pedestrian is intending to cross the street. Also, on occasion, I simply
have not noticed the pedestrian until it is too late to safely stop and,
instead, in chargin, I blow past them. Thank heavens, most pedestrians
are a watchful, careful bunch. And as a pedestrian, I believe that many
drivers simply do not see me. So in my opinion, having active signs like
the type Jay and I mentioned would make it safer to cross Minneapolis
streets.
Scott McGerik
Hawthorne
Minneapolis
http://www.visi.com/~scottlm/
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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