How do signals for pedestrians work?
When a pedestrian pushes the button on the signal pole, a call is sent to the computer that controls the traffic signal (the controller). The controller will see this request for a “Walk” indication. The call is constant, meaning that as long as the button has been pushed once, the controller knows to give the Walk phase. At the appropriate time, based on the parameters of the signal’s timing plan, the “Walk” symbol will be displayed. Pushing the button multiple times will not cause the traffic signal to bring up the Walk phase any sooner.
The “Walk” symbol (a steady walking person) means that a pedestrian facing the signal indication is permitted to start crossing the road.
The flashing “Don’t Walk” symbol (a flashing upraised hand) means that a pedestrian shall not start to cross the road, but that any pedestrian who had already started to cross on the “Walk” symbol can finish crossing the roadway and will have enough time to safely do so. The countdown display next to the flashing hand shows the number of seconds remaining until the end of the crossing time.
The steady “Don’t Walk” symbol (a steady upraised hand) means that a pedestrian shall not enter the roadway.