Countdown walk signal

Here is an interesting set of pedestrian crosswalk signals at a very dangerous intersection in Quincy, MA. This was one of the first intersections in the state to have countdown pedestrian signals installed, back in 1997-1998. It should be noted that unlike most modern ones, this particular type begins counting down WHEN the "WALK" phase starts up instead of starting to count down when the hand symbol begins flashing like others do. The walking body symbol is lit via fiber-optics and thus is not clearly visible; as the hand and timer are lit by LEDs like on most modern signals. (The LEDs for the timer are red instead of Portland Orange like on newer ones.) I think Tassimco Technologies made them (the housings are ICC, so this is obviously a retrofit job replacing older walk signals). This intersection also features Wilcox audible signals, but they were broken the day I shot this video.
I apologize for the shakiness near the end; it's hard to cross carefully and hold a camera at the same time!

FOLLOW UP: The signal seen at the end broke down some time after this video was taken and was replaced with an all-LED GE countdown unit that only counts down when the hand flashes, and it also displays "0" at the end of the countdown while the others don't.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• pedestrians
• crosswalk
• safety
• traffic
• light
• signal
• crossing
• dont
• walk
• countdown
• timer
• hand
• man
• body
• dangerous
• intersection
• cars