Description
Can the DPW signal engineer please explain the logic behind the current programming of the new crosswalks at Maple & Battery? They currently seem to be incredibly counterintuitive for pedestrians & confusing for drivers. Pedestrian signals here should have made things safer, but instead seem to leave everyone slightly confused because they don’t logically follow the light patterns
9 Comments
Acknowledged DPW Pine Customer Service (Verified Official)
Closed Traffic Signal Engineer (Verified Official)
Reopened That Guy (Registered User)
When crossing Maple from North to South, on the east side of the intersection, the pedestrian signal does not sync with the north/south green light, which is what most people (both drivers and pedestrians) expect to happen. As a pedestrian, you press the button and wait. Drivers cueing on Maple to turn right and head up Battery make eye contact with you and expect you to cross when they have the red and the n/s approach has the green, and often seem bewildered/exasperated when you don't cross.
Drivers who have the green on Battery SB turning left onto Maple see you waiting at the crosswalk, and assume they have to yield to you since you're in a crosswalk so they sometimes stop & gesture for you to cross, even though you're looking at a "don't walk" signal.
I'm not saying it looks confusing, I'm saying based on walking through the intersection multiple times since it was finished, that it is confusing, especially for drivers. I'd encourage you to walk back and forth a few times, using the signal & making eye contact with drivers. They're definitely confused by the way the pedestrian signals are set up, and on more than one occasion I've had a westbound driver end up blocking the crosswalk once the no right turn on red sign lights up and the pedestrian signal actually activates.
Traffic Signal Engineer (Verified Official)
Closed Traffic Signal Engineer (Verified Official)
That Guy (Registered User)
Agree to disagree I guess. I didn't assume anything, especially the first few times I crossed. I stopped, pushed the button & waited... only crossing when I actually had the walk signal.
As I said, I felt that it was confusing for drivers who saw me standing there waiting to cross. I was at the crosswalk, still on the sidewalk after pushing the button. Several times, drivers advanced into the crosswalk only to have the no right turn on red signal then come on... so as a pedestrian you end up having to go behind them.
I understand the logic you're using, and understand the ideas behind the signal phasing. Some drivers don't though, which I've observed and pointed out.
Traffic Signal Engineer (Verified Official)
That Guy (Registered User)
Traffic Signal Engineer (Verified Official)