Following up on Adam’s introduction to the new Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon that will be popping up around the city, here’s an annotated video of the light in action on Parker St., south of Boylston St. (Rt. 9).
On the video annotations, by “Pedestrian sees: …” I mean what the pedestrian sees in the little walk/don’t walk hooded display facing each sidewalk (red do-not-walk hand, countdown timer and flashing red hand, or green walk figure).
As you can see, this light controls traffic much better than a flashing yellow, providing clearer guidance to both the pedestrian and the driver.
Anybody know who the pedestrian is?
Is there going to be a painted ped crosswalk added? Are there curb cuts there? (Adam Peller)
There are pedestrian curb cuts. I assume that there will be a crosswalk painted.
He doesn’t look familiar.
He’s got the legs of a cyclist and hangs out with Sean….
some possible problems with the new lights: over grown foliage – understaffed city tree trimmers, motorists obstructed view following a large truck, motorists front roofline does not allow for overhead viewing unless one is looking for aircraft, handheld gizmos distract drivers into looking down – not up, swigging from coffee cup blocks line of sight.
@Schlock: Have you considered meditation, avoiding caffeine or some other method that might help you sleep at night?
Being a motorcyclist engages ones’ mind to anticipate the unexpected – have you ever ridden a motorcycle? If not, when you operate your auto, do you wear your seatbelt? If you do, then try wearing a safety helmet? – now do you feel safer and not as vulnerable to the unaware motorist? If not, consider changing your name to ‘DOT’ and start all over..