Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Steve]

While on the topic of the MUTCD, I'll just point out that drivers are explicitly not supposed to rely on pedestrian timers. I know they do anyway, but my point is that design should not account for that.

how does the general driving populace know that?  countdown timers certainly weren't covered when I took driver ed, so I'd be tempted to go with my intuition...

That's why I'm limiting my comment to the design field. Don't design countdown timers for drivers to peep at.

[roadfro]

I've seen older counters reach 0 at the red light, but that's been written out of the MUTCD and agencies are now converting to the new standard.

That's still allowable in the 2009 MUTCD--see Figure 4E-2. There are a number of ways the countdown can work out as long as the pedestrian clearance time finishes before opposing traffic is released.

[Steve]

I've seen older counters reach 0 at the red light, but that's been written out of the MUTCD and agencies are now converting to the new standard.

That's still allowable in the 2009 MUTCD--see Figure 4E-2. There are a number of ways the countdown can work out as long as the pedestrian clearance time finishes before opposing traffic is released.

And yet agencies are still converting to 0 on the yellow.

[roadman65]

The timers should be used, I think, at intersections that have cameras.  I often worry about passing through these intersections, cause one day the light will turn at a time when I am too close to stop for the signal while being too far away from the stop bar to actually make it across it and the sensor that activates the mechanism.   

If I see it is getting near 0, providing the timer is set to turn at that point, I would slow down so that I can be in a safe mode to stop in time for the stop line where I do not need to run nor screech to a stop.

[jeffandnicole]

I've seen older counters reach 0 at the red light, but that's been written out of the MUTCD and agencies are now converting to the new standard.

That's still allowable in the 2009 MUTCD--see Figure 4E-2. There are a number of ways the countdown can work out as long as the pedestrian clearance time finishes before opposing traffic is released.

It appears that Delaware is using all 5 options at various intersections!  Maybe they're testing out different options.  Personally, IMO, I dislike the option where the countdown timer goes to 0 just as the light hits red.  The yellow light should be used to clear the intersection of traffic, and not to be encouraged to allow pedestrians to complete their stroll across the roadway.

I've also noticed Delaware now has a whole pedestrian detour set up when a section (and in many cases, a very small section) of sidewalk is under construction.  They use small orange Detour signs with a small pedestrian on it (ie: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part6/fig6f_05_longdesc.htm , M4-9b ).  The detour route starts at the previous intersection and continues to the next intersection.  In many cases, they use a barrier to try to prevent people from continuing on the sidewalk.  And when they are on the detour route, additional detour signs are posted to show pedestrians that they should continue on the sidewalk until the next intersection.

Signage overkill?  Oh...yeah...

[roadman65]

I've seen older counters reach 0 at the red light, but that's been written out of the MUTCD and agencies are now converting to the new standard.

That's still allowable in the 2009 MUTCD--see Figure 4E-2. There are a number of ways the countdown can work out as long as the pedestrian clearance time finishes before opposing traffic is released.

It appears that Delaware is using all 5 options at various intersections!  Maybe they're testing out different options.  Personally, IMO, I dislike the option where the countdown timer goes to 0 just as the light hits red.  The yellow light should be used to clear the intersection of traffic, and not to be encouraged to allow pedestrians to complete their stroll across the roadway.

I've also noticed Delaware now has a whole pedestrian detour set up when a section (and in many cases, a very small section) of sidewalk is under construction.  They use small orange Detour signs with a small pedestrian on it (ie: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part6/fig6f_05_longdesc.htm , M4-9b ).  The detour route starts at the previous intersection and continues to the next intersection.  In many cases, they use a barrier to try to prevent people from continuing on the sidewalk.  And when they are on the detour route, additional detour signs are posted to show pedestrians that they should continue on the sidewalk until the next intersection.

Signage overkill?  Oh...yeah...

Florida has the same thing when sidewalks are partially closed.  Many people ignore them, of course, and walk on the street in traffic in the same manner people now do not use the crosswalks either.  Many will cross even 10 feet away from the crosswalk and even rather walk around stopped cars at a signal then walk straight across.

I do not think there is anything to worry as police have forgotten that jay walking is an citeable offense so they will not do anything here either.

[NE2]

I do not think there is anything to worry as police have forgotten that jay walking is an citeable offense so they will not do anything here either.

Please look up exactly what "jaywalking" is.

[KEK Inc.]

Can we stay on topic guys?  As I said over and over again, I'm not referring to pedestrian crossings.       If you want to talk about that, please feel free to make a separate thread...