NYC Crosswalk Buttons are Inoperative 569
cdneng2 writes "NY Times has an article that New
York crosswalk push buttons are actually ineffective.
Apparently, New York City deactivated most of the pedestrian
buttons long ago with the emergence of computer-controlled
traffic signals. From the article, 'More than 2,500 of the 3,250
walk buttons that still exist function essentially as mechanical
placebos, city figures show.' Well, apparently New York city isn't
the only city like this. I guess the answer lies in the same
reason why people press
the elevator button more than once."
Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:5, Interesting)
However, you can find the 24 most dangerous intersections in NY, as compiled by the NYPD here [transalt.org].
Either way, crossing the street isn't the safest thing in the world.
Just like elevators... (Score:3, Interesting)
Kinda like the "brightness" button on the TV set. (To paraphrase the old joke).
I think (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:5, Interesting)
That being said, it's still dangerous because the cab drivers can occasionally be reckless due to long hours worked.
See here [golala.com] for more zaniness.
pedastrians obey Laws? (Score:5, Interesting)
Erm.... and? (Score:5, Interesting)
Computer-controlled traffic lights work a lot better than the old-fashioned timed system. (well, unless the detector screws up, but that's rare) So allowing people to interrupt the sequence would do little good. At the same time, you don't want people standing on one of those 700 crosswalks which will never volunteer a "walk" sign for ages.
So, to make sure that the people use the button in the places they need to, it's easier to leave the buttons on all the intersections. Otherwise, people might not think to use the button when it's necessary, at least not without a lot of time and prompting.
Like Boston? (Score:3, Interesting)
This idea seems like it should cause a lot of accidents, but maybe the traffic is regulated well enough, I don't know.
In the UK, we are so used to pressing the buttons, and most people will not cross without waiting for the lights to change. This seems to be completely different to the way things happen in Boston. By the end of our holiday, I was getting bored of waiting, and took the Bostonian approach to crossing the road - don't bother with the buttons - to the disgust of my mum
Lessons in people traning (Score:1, Interesting)
cars 1
Cars win another round. Why is it w/ all of this technology, and intercomunication that we still give more rights to a person wrapped in metal (ie a car), than a mere mortal walking across the street.
The article didn't talk about the fact that by having a button by the crosswalk, people are more likely to walk to the button first before crossing the road. This has the potential advantage of reducing J walking. (crossing the street illegaly)
Psychology at work... (Score:5, Interesting)
What I find odd are those who hit the 'summon elevator' button more than once - A lift algorithm isn't going to take into account the number of times you press, and I doubt the buttons are pressure-sensitive
Simon
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:5, Interesting)
Control (Score:5, Interesting)
Actually, it's probably a moot point - I've never met a New Yorker who actually waits for the light.
Re:pedastrians obey Laws? (Score:4, Interesting)
And this article (that the buttons do nothing) is extremely common knowledge. My parents told me when I was about six, and I got the sense their parents did the same for them.
Operative at some in Toronto (Score:5, Interesting)
Could be even worse (Score:5, Interesting)
how to drive the visually impaired community crazy (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Umm... (Score:5, Interesting)
Actually, sir, according to a very reputable gas supplier that I know, many gas stations do NOT purchase higher octane fuel. It is far from a preposterous notion, in fact it is a reality at many, many gas stations.
Re:Like Boston? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:I had my suspicions (Score:5, Interesting)
Now if only more junction designers could have a look at stuff like that, and see how convenient it is when things "just work"...
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:4, Interesting)
In Winnipeg, there are "pedestrian corridors" which have lights that hang over the road and go off the instant the button is pressed. These are not for all intersections and, in fact, they are often not at intersections. They're also relatively uncommon -- places where there are schools, parks, etc. (my guess -- IANACP) The thing is, they pound this into everyone's head when they learn to drive. There are heavy penalties for crossing a lit corridor. They're not like stoplights in that they go off when there is no reason to (I've only ever seen one malfunctioning corridor, and a line of traffic slowing to a stop, looking like mad for the pedestrian, and then only gingerly accelerating through, no doubt covering the brake). And not every crosswalk is a corridor, so people don't get used to only stopping for lights and not still looking for people.
Contrast with Vancouver. New province, new rules. Whoops. That flashing green doesn't mean I can't turn left or right at will? These are "pedestrian controlled intersections". Just what you'd expect, and probably run the risk of the occasional light-runner, since there's no flashing red to tell you that it changed because someone is now crossing the road. Except that some lights will never change unless they are activated. As both a pedestrian in Vancouver (with curiosity), and a motorcycle rider all over, I can assure you that this is the case with many lights. I've annoyed many drives, waiting behind me at stoplights, because the light will not change. Many intersections are still like that for pedestrians (I'll sometimes shout at a pedestrian to push the button). But then Van also has veritable pedestrian paranoia. You can't take one step out on the pavement of a multi-lane street to wait for that one car to pass... because they'll stop. Suddenly you can't Frogger your way through that hold, and more cars stop. Then everybody's stopped, waiting for you to cross, and you were jaywalking in the first place. Mad, I tell you. Mad.
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:3, Interesting)
You misunderstand. These arn't crosswalks at downtown intersections, they are crosswalks across a single road in suburban areas. There is one near me. The nearest intersections are probably a 1/4 mile away in either direction. So just to get across the street to the bus stop would be a half-mile walk without this crosswalk. And it's a really busy 4-lane, so just jaywalking without the crosswalk is pretty difficult. Even when it was just a crosswalk, people rarely stopped for you. With the flashing lights (Besides the lights embedded in the road, there are lights around the crosswalk signs that flash as well) nobody runs though it.
On the other hand, once you get downtown, there are no control buttons. It's not like they disabled them, they just have never been there. When the traffic lights turn green, the crosswalks get a walk sign.
Re:Elevator close door buttons (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:3, Interesting)
However, I do agree that Philadelphia has extrodinarily dangerous traffic patterns. I can remember many white knuckle experiences on the Schuykill expressway when I worked down by Philadelphia, but I guess exit ramps and toll booths (especially by the bridge) don't count. I do remember taking Admiral Wilson Blvd. on the New Jersey side, and noting the large number of scantily clad hookers working along the side of the road. Even if they aren't attractive, it is really hard to avoid the instinct to look. One time I recall reading in the Inquirer that the police rounded up these girls after noticing an unusually large increase in the number of accidents in the area where they advertised.
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:5, Interesting)
I disagree.
Most people get into car accidents because they lose awareness. On country and sparse suburban roads it's easy to drive without seeing another person or moving motor vehicle for miles. As such, drivers tend to zone out and not notice the pedestrian until after they flip over your hood.
In Manhattan, you're surrounded by people and cars ALL THE TIME, even at 4AM, and at any moment someone could step in front of your car and you could kill them instantly. As such, you drive *very* carefully.
Also, 99% of the intersections in Manhattan have traffic lights. It's either red stop or green go.
If you don't see a green light at an intersection you assume you have to stop. This is reinforced so heavily that when motorists come to intersections in Manhattan with all-way stop signs instead of traffic lights, the motorists end up coming to a stop and waiting for a green light to appear. Eventually it occurs to them that there isn't a red light there either, and they then notice the stop sign and cautiously dart across.
I find driving in Manhattan to be more incident free than anywhere else. The rules-of-intersection engagement are very clear (don't even think of crossing until you see green), the other motorists are just as alert as you are (so cutting them off and being cut off by them is no big deal and traffic flows more smoothly), and above all, assume a pedestrian will decide to cross no matter where they are or what you're doing.
Driving in the rest of NYC is on the other hand a nightmare.
As such, I've become completely incompatible with weekend motorists and fear for my life when I go out on weekends.
Cleveland, Ohio, and elevators (Score:5, Interesting)
On a related note, ever notice how the "door close" button in most elevators does absolutely nothing? The button in the elevator where I work actually does function properly, letting you send yourself on your way about 6 seconds more quickly than without. If you're standing right by the panel, but you don't push the button - which everyone in the building knows will get you there sooner - everyone else starts shifting around uncomfortably, waiting for you to hurry up and push it. (I've actually seen one professor push the door open in an effort to squeeze another 15ms or so out of it!) But in the next building over, you can pound on the button, hold it in, kick it, or whatever, and the door doesn't close any faster than usual.
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Umm... (Score:4, Interesting)
I had noticed that often after having tanked at a specific station, I often felt the engine ran worse. So after a while, I mentioned it while paying for the gas, just in a half joking way. To my surprise the guy said that they did not have enough tanks in the ground for it but they were one of the (few) stations required to have the high octane. And since not may people buy it, it was bad economy to have another tank digged down(the stations was in the center of the city).
Of course I had seen all the pamphlets saying that I just should get my engine tuned in to run on lower octane, but I'd rather drive longer to get it filled up than have it adjusted and lose the horsepower.
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:4, Interesting)
This doesn't surprise me one bit though. My small town (roughly 7,000) paid a great expense to have all the intersections redone with those big red buttons. No one uses them. If that weren't enough, we've got large mobs of unsupervised children on bicycles zipping in front of cars passing through green lights (and kids that stop their bikes in the middle of the lane -during periods of heavy traffic- on purpose). Maybe we should just do away with pedestrian right-of-way?
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:5, Interesting)
It's so much more exciting than just a 'walk' sign...
And conversely... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:I knew this already (Score:2, Interesting)
The pavement looks like an earthquake zone, of course, but as a motorcyclist, I can confirm that without the proper weight, some lights will *never* change. (I've put on a few pounds. Still, nothing.)
Of course, that's vehicle sensitivity not pedestrian. No reason the sensors can't regulate non-rush hour traffic and let the city planner synchronicity handle the busy times.
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:5, Interesting)
If the pedestrian has crossed when there is a gap in the Traffic the demand from the Push Button is cancelled. If demands are being cancelled incorrectly the detector is badly configured.
Solution
Post the location of the signal crossing and I drop a line to Bedford.
Also ask Bedford to configure the crossing as 'Pre-timed [dft.gov.uk] Max'
Pre-timed Max Solves this problem.Also further reading [dft.gov.uk] on Push Buttons and computerised traffic control.
best roadway invention I've seen (Score:5, Interesting)
In India they're for the cars. No more edging through reds because you don't know when the frig it's gonna change and you wonder if you're hitting the sensor. No, right there in front of you, 15, 14, 13, 12. So also, you can get that thing out of your glove compartment, there's time. Or take a sip of that drink, bite of that sandwich. No surprises. Numbers in red for stops and in white or green for time till the next stop. You still get the yellow, so people don't race -- they have more time to gradually increase speed if they want to make it through.
In Quebec, it's for the pedestrians. Not nearly as useful IMHO. Cars can look crosswise to see how much time the pedestrians have left, but it's aimed at the pedestrians, to tell them how much time they've got. Doesn't stop people from wandering across with no time left, I've noticed.
The Indian version is the best thing I've seen. Cuts out all of the guesswork and most of the tension and cause for accidents at intersections. Genius. Of course, they're only at super busy intersections.
They also have the #2 best thing I've seen. Across the red lense of traffic lights at the busiest intersections is printed the capitals R E L A X. No foolin.
Re:Government is actually trying to save money (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Psychology at work... (Score:3, Interesting)
What a waste of time for the person who wants to go to 14.
The best reason not to press those buttons.. (Score:4, Interesting)
Stray voltage [nydailynews.com]
MIT crosswalk on Mass Ave (Score:3, Interesting)
After observing the crosswalk for several days and analyzing the pedestrian count, the traffic count, the timing of the lights, and the number of times cars "ran the light", the students determined that your odds of getting hit by a car were less if you crossed at random than if you waited for a "walk" sign.
As with most urban legends, I doubt the validity of the story but it did make for entertaining conversation while waiting for the light.
Re:Could be even worse (Score:3, Interesting)
Consider a simple light that is 30 seconds green and then 30 seconds red. A car that reaches the intersection at second 0 in the cycle, the start of the green, will not have to wait at all. Same for seconds 1 to 29. At second 30, they get the red and have to wait 30 seconds. At second 31 they have to wait 29 seconds, and so on down to second 59 where they only have to wait 1 second for the green. If you calculate it out, the cars have a 50% chance of not waiting at all, an average wait of 7.5 seconds, and a maximum wait of 30 seconds.
A pedestrian arriving at second 0, the start of the green cycle, will have to press the button and wait 60 seconds for the next green cycle, when the pedestrian signal will change to walk. Even though the signal is green for the cars, pedestrians won't get a walk signal when pressing the button. If they arrive at second 1, they have to wait 59 seconds for the next green light, at second 2 they have to wait 58 seconds, and so on down to second 59 when they have to wait 1 second. For pedestrians there is a 0% chance of not having to wait, the average wait is 30 seconds, and the maximum wait is 60 seconds.
That's what adding these signals does. Half the time the people in cars don't have to wait at all, but if you not in a car, you always have to wait at the light. The average time you have to wait is four times as long, and the maximum time is twice as long! A signal like this is just a big "fuck you" to pedestrians.
Cities spend tens of thousands of dollars to stick in a signal like this. Why do they do it, when the signal time stays the same, but pedestrians have to wait four times as long? Because if pedestrains where allowed to cross when they came to a green light, like cars are, then turning cars would have to look for the them and yeild. People in cars hate to have to pay attention to their driving, and would much rather being talking on their cell phone or watching a DVD or fussing with their kids in the back seat. So the light makes pedestrians arriving on the green wait and bunch up to cross at the beginning of the next signal. That way drivers get to pay less attention to their driving!
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:3, Interesting)
Wasn't there a race car driver who once said he'd rather drive on the track than drive in a major city?
SB
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:5, Interesting)
Something like these [astucia.co.uk]?
The web site sucks ass but the products look pretty damn cool. They also make headlight-activated LED road studs - seen these on the motorway north of Brighton, you can turn your headlights off and drive in total darkness at 85mph, following the LEDs (till you run into the other idiot doing the same thing)...
Re:Psychology at work... (Score:4, Interesting)
and sometimes these even jump into a elevator going upstairs, if anything making their travel to the downstairs slower than if they would have just pressed the damn 'going down' button.
(this happens quite often in the building where I live that has double elevators, and a system where you can't "hijack" an elevator thats going up to go down.)
Re:I think (Score:3, Interesting)
Usually the light changes to yellow when the countdown hits 0. Like someone else said makes it easier to tell if you have a chance of making it through the intersection or not.
The audible beeping is for the visually impaired, but I'll admit its helped me out when I've been talking with a friend and not paying attention to the lights.
Pressing the elevator buttons twice (Score:2, Interesting)
Project Greenlight (Score:4, Interesting)
In Minneapolis, most newer signals don't have push buttons (which can be aggravating when there's little traffic), but they will always light up the "walk" sign. However, most older ones which have the push buttons will not light the "walk" sign unless the button was pushed. Usually, this isn't an issue, since people will just walk when the light is green, but certain problems come up.
Pedestrians wishing to cross at "T" intersections that are coming from the top of the T to one of the other corners can get stuck at a "don't walk" sign without being able to see if the traffic light is green or not. Also, there can be problems at intersections with left-turn arrows, since pedestrians get into the habit of going against "don't walk" signs when they see green. In this case they can end up walking right into the path of turning cars. Obviously, people paying attention will either wait or at least make sure no cars have their turn signals on, but I think even people accustomed to such intersections let their minds drift from time to time.
Of course, I think most road and building designers just make awful decisions regarding pedestrians most of the time anyway. I'm sure many college students have cursed their campus's architects since buildings often tend to lie right in the path you want to go. I suppose it's not a big deal in many cases, but some of these buildings are very large and can require quite an excursion to go around. Often, I suppose security is considered to be a big overriding issue, but sometimes things just get to be silly. At least one dorm at the University of Minnesota requires some students to walk about two city blocks inside to get from their rooms to the front doorall other doors are alarmed fire exits. I'm all for promoting exercise, but that's kind of ridiculous, in my opinion.
Bah, I'm wandering off-topic now...
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:4, Interesting)
Rough Outline Of How Pre-timed Max Works
There are a timer for the traffic stage, a min time, a 'max' time and lots of other setting - one of which is the gap length.
A ped crosses the road, then the traffic stage starts. (Green to traffic)
This run for at least the min time.(Normally 7 secs)
Now if there is a low ped flow the traffic can run for say >180 seconds. Greater than the max time and has 'pre-timed out'). If you then press the button the traffic stage will end striaght away, and give you green man in about 5 seconds. Hence the term 'pre-timed' max.
If there is a high pedstrain flow the max timer has to expire before the pedestrain stage will run again. Max timers vary alots ~ ballpark 60 seconds. (Unless there is a gap in the traffic - then it will gap change to the pedestrian stage.
That being said - speak to your Council and your local Traffic Signal Engineer. Drop them a email, you pay there wages (taxes) they will bend over backwards to help you and may not know there is a problem until a (MOP) member of the public reports it.
Most/All of us prefer to here a complaint, than to have badly configured junction.
Re:I had my suspicions (Score:3, Interesting)
Funny crosswalk buttons in Hong Kong (Score:3, Interesting)
They look like bathroom soap dispensers, but they're made by either Siemens or Philips. As far as I can tell there's no button on it, but on the front plate, there's a three pronged symbol (reminds me of the biohazard symbol, except the circles are further apart).
These strange machines are replacing the traditional buttons, but I can't figure out how they work. Perhaps some sort of motion detection?
Tinfoil raving: With the recent introduction of smartcard versions of the mandatory ID cards, and the recent public dissatisfaction towards the government, perhaps the government is looking for a way to keep tabs on its citizens. All the more plausible because almost all citizens carry three important things: their ID card, a cell phone, and an RFID stored-value card (used for public transport, convenience store purchases, etc.). Add to that the fact that Chinese people don't mind being drones under the man, as long as they have the right to make money, and I can totally see this happening in 10 years.
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Winnipeg vs. Vancouver (Score:2, Interesting)
I almost got run down in Liverpool.
Glad you made it!
Dandelion Wine, hmmm? Like the band? I must know you...
There's a band? Never know.
Double-pressing elevator buttons (Score:3, Interesting)
However, I wish that double pressing an elevtor button *would* have a function -- "disabling" the stop at that floor.
In our building and I'm sure others, a couple of elevators go to "mystery" floors and hence have more buttons than others, which means that the "user interface" is non-standard across all elevators. Which means that people tend to automatically push the button at grid position x,y where their floor normally is -- leading to frequent empty stops and slow elevator rides.
A way to unselect a floor would be great and would lead to faster elevator rides and no more empty stops.
Re:premium fuel (Score:3, Interesting)
Over here (Perth, Western Australia) the standard unleaded is RON 91 and the premium is at least RON 96 with BP Ultimate having a RON of 98.
And almost every gas station in our state has premium. You can get BP Ultimate from *ANY* BP gas station.
why? (Score:3, Interesting)
Of course if it was up to me I'd outlaw driving inside the city for non-emergency and non-delivery vehicles. Let people walk, bike, or take public transit. It'd make the city cleaner, people healthier, and increase business for small shops and street venders (not to mention for taxi services, limo services, buses, trains, etc). Probably what I'd actually do is charge tolls frequently (at every intersection with lights?) along the streets for people who didn't have a business pass. So people could still own cars for use of driving outside the city or for their own emergency use.
Re:A Story (Score:3, Interesting)
In lab experiments, they tested what happens if a rat gets a treat:
So, what happened to your biggest complainer?
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:4, Interesting)
When you increase the population density I think it is very hard to get an idea of statistical things like accident frequency. Someone might think, say, that there are an exceptional number of homeless people, because they see one every couple minutes. But if they are seeing twice (or more) as many people everywhere, it's only reasonable they'll see more homeless people, and that doesn't mean that there is relatively more in the community. You see lots of traffic, but you notice accidents, and in the same way you might not be aware of the relative frequency of accidents.
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:3, Interesting)
You don't need one, because that's the only time a flashing green light will change in Vancouver.
Lights that change on a regular schedule, along with being pedestrian controlled are normal solid green lights. Those aren't even really pedestrian controlled as far as I can tell, even if they have the button, although the crossing signal won't go on at some intersections when the light changes unless you press it.
Re:MIT crosswalk on Mass Ave (Score:3, Interesting)
My friend Phil (MIT class of '96) was waiting for a "walk" signal at the crosswalk at lobby 7 one time. When the signal finally changed to "walk," he proceeded to walk out into the street, only to have a car screech to a halt next to him. He started pointing furiously at the "walk" light, but noticed that the driver was pointing furiously at the traffic light. Unbelievably, he saw it was green!
Apparently, the traffic light system was serving up both a walk AND a green at the same time!
If this wasn't an isolated event, your story may not be an urban legend after all...
Thanks (Score:3, Interesting)
This has truly been an interesting discussion, particularly if you look at this issue from a (somewhat outdated) historical sense... meaning the late renaissance definition of profession, referring particularly to the ancient professions of divinity, law, and medicine (and sometimes soldiery). The evolution of that term progressed in the 19th century, to the point that it now includes engineers, architects, teachers (the "teaching profession") etc (and cab drivers, apparently)... but the classical professions were the original prototype.
Sociologist Geoffrey Millerson wrote a classic book on the topic in the mid-sixties, where he layed out the requirements in his formal definition of "profession": (keep in mind that for some professions, these things go back to antiquity)
Skill based on theoretical knowledge
Required training and education
Competence demonstrated by testing
Ethical code of conduct
Altruistic goals
Professional organization
Some of this formal sociological definition has survived, and can be noted in Webster's definition of profession... but note how much it has broadened... it's tremendous... we're now to the point that many consider anyone who does something for pay as a "professional" in that field.
As a member of one of the previously mentioned "classical professions," it's fascinating to me to watch the evolution of the term.
Thanks to everyone who posted for the interesting thread.
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:4, Interesting)
If you can understand WTF they're saying, that is.
An interesting story... (Score:4, Interesting)
Good night. (Score:3, Interesting)
of course you are.
You should relax... it's good for you. Incidently, I have no problem with people who work fast food, but if you insist on taking that as an insult, then by all means, be insulted... it really doesn't matter to me. My statement was more intended as a commentary on the loosening use of the term "professional."
The original poster wrote: Of course not as many accidents are going to happen, they're pros.
Which to me implies a measure of skill... not whether they fit the legal definition of a profession. A subsequent poster (iabervon) made the point that getting paid is what defines a profession... and he's partially right... but that's also the definition of a job, and doesn't begin to tell the whole story behind profession, professionalism, etc. Websters dictionary is just the beginning...
Also, it's OK that you thread-jacked this discussion into a dictionary fest, because this is slashdot, and we can do that... but the original poster clearly implied professional as a measure of skill, not as a result of a paycheck. Of course job and profession are not mutually exclusive... but getting a paycheck qualifies you for either definition... and you're quite right that professional must not necessarily relate to skillfulness, but like it or not, that is the definition that started this thread.
As a professional myself, the term implies much more to me than simply getting paid... but that's a thread for another day.
Thanks for the interesting discussion.
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:2, Interesting)
Zebra crossings work well probably more so than pelican crossings because pedestrians really are in control and aren't tempted to take a risk and dash accross. The yellow beacon is always flashing, people don't just leap into the road, they usually wait on the side of the crossing then the traffic is obliged to stop, it would be extremely rude and ungentlemanly not to do so (and illegal), the person walks when it's quite apparent they're not going to be mown down, when the person has entirely cleared the road you can drive off.
The above will always work in the UK (well, 99% of the time), the traffic will gracefully stop, I guarantee you. France also has Zebra stripe crossings but with a slight, if not crucial difference, there's a subtle shortcoming in that the cars don't stop! (nor does there seem to be a legal reason to do so) it doesn't matter whether you're actually on the crossing or not, they don't fucking stop. You tend to notice motorists disregard for such crossings quite quickly!
Whenever I'm driving in France and stop for somebody on a Zebra crossing they initially give a look of disbelief and then of mistrust whilst not taking their eyes of the front bumper of my car for the entire duration.
Time to re-read "Faster" (Score:3, Interesting)
by James Gleick, described here [fasterbook.com]. A most excellent book. It has a chapter or two on this exact phenomenon, and some interesting facts about elevator design and placement in various kinds of office buildings and skyscrapers.
Also a chapter on the NTP network and the master clocks at the US Naval Observatory.
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:2, Interesting)
The idea is you walk out with your flag waving and everybody stops for you. Problem is, most drivers are either too stupid to realize "Maybe I should stop because there's a guy standing in the middle of the road frantically waving a red flag" or are distracted and just fly through the crosswalks absentmindedly.
So, if you try the flag thing on a busy street, you have a pretty high probability of getting hit... If I recall correctly, there were 8 car-pedestrian collisions on Monroe Street alone in the first 3 weeks of the program. Needless to say, not many people use the flags. They just wait til traffic calms down.
In Plymouth England.... (Score:3, Interesting)
When I was at uni in Plymouth there was (and still is) a very complex cross junction right outside the university. It appeared that it was entirely controlled by the push buttons for pedestrians presumably due to the high volume of pedestrians crossing the junction to get to uni. This was dispite the main route through the junction being what we brits quaintly call a dual carrageway (two lanes in each direction for the rest of you) and one of the main routes into the city center.
The really fun came if you were around the junction when traffic was really quiet. You would regulary see people jump out of their cars when they had been stuck on the main route at a red light, rush across the road, press one of the buttons to allow pedestrians to cross one of the side routes and rush back to their car knowing that by the time they got back the lights would have changed to let them drive off!
Re:Most Dangerous Intersections (Score:2, Interesting)
Maybe the cabs aren't the craziest (bicycle delivery guys, the wackos wandering in the street on 125th, out of state drivers, cops who don't turn on lights and sirens when breaking traffic laws) but they certainly aren't all careful.