Countdown crosswalk signs? (Scott: safety, cities, island)

[DoomDan515]

Anybody notice more of them? I'm starting to see them go up almost everywhere, especially along Woodhaven Boulevard and Queens Boulevard. Years ago I only saw them in major Manhattan spots.

[Airborneguy]

They are being put in place at every intersection, in order of necessity. I can't remember the date I read when they are all supposed to be up.

[DoomDan515]

I think they're useful, at least I won't have to run across a wide boulevard at the last second.

[D. Scott]

Originally Posted by DoomDan515

I think they're useful, at least I won't have to run across a wide boulevard at the last second.

They are, It's meant to reduce pedestrian accidents. But still i see people darting across with 2 seconds to spare.

[DA Fernandez]

Yeah they are all over the place now...anyway anyone like those Walk, Don't Walk Signs from the 90s?

[njnyckid]

Originally Posted by DA Fernandez

Yeah they are all over the place now...anyway anyone like those Walk, Don't Walk Signs from the 90s?

I remember being a little kid AMAZED with these new inventions..."How in the world is it possible to know when I should walk or when I shouldn't...this is genius!" lol

[dapanza107]

As a driver, those new crosswalk timers are a godsend. It gives me an exact timer as to when the light will change to red instead of just hoping to beat the light.

[Chava61]

I have seen those type of countdown signs in some cities in China. I think that they are useful so one knows if they should start crossing the street or not.

[Fred314X]

I noticed them at the intersection of Kings Highway and Coney Island Avenue. Indeed, as D. Scott said, people don't necessarily wait until they have official permission to cross.

By the way, the first thought that jumped into my mind when I saw the countdown sign was, here's the next step on the road to illiteracy. Signs with words are evidently completely passe, and now we've devolved to the point where the pictographs aren't sufficient, either. What's next? Signs with computerized voices saying, "You may cross now." (And, of course, "Don't cross now.")

[nightcrawler]

Yes, we have them here on 3rd Ave down here under the Gowanus Expy in Sunset park. The street is very wide with the highway above and it really is a help. There are so many trucks that go by so it is a good safety measure. To think it only took until the year 2011 for someone to come up with this idea.