The Department of Transportation installed the first countdown pedestrian signals in Park Slope earlier today.
When the traffic lights at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and 9th Street turn red, pedestrians will see a walking man for 15 seconds. Then, a 22-second countdown begins so pedestrians know exactly how much time they have left to cross.
The city’s Department of Transportation says that’s one of the reasons why it chose this intersection of Fourth Avenue, which is a major artery with a subway station and school nearby.
Over the past year, the DOT conducted a pilot program with the countdown clocks in 25 locations – five in each borough.
The DOT commissioner says the countdown clocks will become standard on all wider streets.
The first 250 will be installed over the next three months. So far, residents say it’s more than a welcome improvement, though not without its own stress-inducing moments.
The city is trying to cut the number of traffic fatalities in half by 2030.
Last year, pedestrians made up for more than half of the traffic fatalities in the five boroughs.
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(Source: NY1)
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3 Responses
This is a great thing for the drivers too!
Sorry usa but this is so old fashioned. Here in England the crossings have sensors which keep the traffic lights on red until the pedestrian has reached the other side, so even a young child, elderly or disabled person is able to cross at a pace best for them in complete safety! Only once they reach the other side does the lights change to green
Now we will be able to tell, how many seconds b4 the light changed to green the oilam drives through the red