Do the buttons you push to cross the street really do anything?

Question

You push them over and over, but do they really do anything??

Answer 1

Here is how I think it works.

The Pedestrian Stoplights and Traffic Stoplights have set schedules. For example, the traffic light and pedestrian light have a 3:1 minute ratio. Let's pretend the schedule starts at 12:00, the traffic light will be green from 12:00 to 12:03. Then the pedestrian light will be green from 12:03 to 12:04. The cycle continues: 12:04-12:07 is Traffic while the pedestrian is 12:07-12:08.

Now I assume the pedestrian traffic light button has like an "idle function". For example, maybe if the button isn't pressed after 45 seconds then it becomes idle and the (12:03-12:04 section) will remain the green for traffic light. However, lets say you press the button at 12:05, the pedestrian light will not turn green until 12:07 because pressing the button doesn't change the light but brings it off idle and into the schedule.

Now I didn't research this, it's just my assumption. I just thought about it a lot from standing at pedestrian light buttons a lot. :)

Answer 2

sometimes yes, sometimes no. Being on a college campus I walk through many stop lights and the further you get away from down town the more likely they are to do something. I have found at least three lights that will not give you a walk signal if you do not push the button.

Answer 3

The buttons themselves don't do anything, but the components of the light do when the light informs the person it is time to walk. Some even produce an annoying beep that helps the blind to cross.

Answer 4

At some intersections, definite. as an occasion, there is an intersection by using my previous extreme college, on a considerable street. basically, the easy will take a protracted time to alter until a motor vehicle pulls as much as the go out, or somebody hits the button to circulate the line. as quickly as the easy is alerted to the presence of a motor vehicle or pedestrian there, it is going to alter particularly at as quickly as, until it had only replaced.

Answer 5

yes, they do-once you push the button, the signal gets transfered,and when the light goes red (traffic light) the cars stop and youll be able to cross, and there should be a light thats like a traffic light-if one person (the symbol on the light thing) is green, youll be able to cross,if its red, you cant walk until the cars stop

okay, i think i didnt explain it fully, but there are some things i dont know, but you kinda get the idea-.....

Answer 6

I must admit that often I think they light up a board in some office, giving everyone a good laugh. "Look! Another lad wants to use the zebra crossing! HAHAHAHA!"

Answer 7

That's an interesting point to ponder. If you don't press and just wait, they just change of their own accord anyway.
If they do work, I'm sure only the first press registers. If you continue pressing it makes no difference.

Answer 8

Many, but not all, have no effect on how quickly the light changes. They're a sort of placebo.

Answer 9

Yes, the light changes much quicker.

Answer 10

Yeah!!! It's a great way to spread germs! Doesn't do squat to the lights, though!