green man flashing

So you're in any country in the world trying to cross a road. There's a crossing control with traffic lights (so thats a good start). The lights indicate you should cross, so you begin - only to find that the "don't cross" signal pings on when you're halfway across. Damn! Do you make a run for it?

If this has happened to you, you'll know that pedestrian signals in different cities across the world have differing personalities and ideosyncrasies. In New York its "WALK" or "DON'T WALK", an unusual choice of phrase because most of us have been doing exactly that for most of the day before arriving at the crossing. Also not very inclusive for those with disabilities or without command of English.

In London its the "Red Man standing" or "Green Man walking". Definitely a more communicative solution and one that's copied in many other places. But I found some crossing signals in London were just plain liars. It was safe to cross and yet they held you back needlessly. If you were a local you'd get to know which ones lied and which ones didn't. Tourists were conspicuous by their reluctance to move while all those around them were crossing.

In Auckland, visitors often perceive our crossings as too short. What happens is that the the red signal pings on earlier than other countries leadinmg to the perception of having to make a run for it. In actuality one has the same amount of time to cross as everywhere else but the early red signal doesn't make it feel that way.

So, returning to the halfway across the road scenario - what do you do? Stop in the middle, run back or run to the other side and hope you make it?

Answer: none of the above. You install new signals that give you a visual countdown so you know exactly how much time you have.

Genius! Top marks Auckland City Council