Crosswalks of the Future
The crosswalks here count down the number of seconds before the light changes. At most intersections it’s just a digital readout on the far side of the street, but some of them feature a booming male voice yelling out the numbers as they tick by. “Ten,” he’ll say. Then “nine.” And on down to “one.” Most of them leave it at that, but there’s one intersection—my favorite intersection—right by the beach where, after he gets to “one,” the booming voice yells “Run!!!”
A talking crosswalk might not seem like much to you—maybe you live in Japan, for instance, where a friendly yellow Pokemon parachutes down from a flying monorail and holds your hand as you cross the street—but to this country boy from Portland, Oregon, it sounds like the future.
Wait, who’s writing this? I have some vague memories but I can’t recall….
We have the countdowns but they don’t talk. They do make a beeping noise at crossing time, for blind people. Also, the button-box vibrates for blind people. What if two blind people are at the same crossing? Who knows. Maybe their hands meet accidentally and a whirlwind romance ensues and they end up married. That could be the whole idea.
People still run across sometimes when the countdown is on 3, or 2. I don’t know why. Maybe they’re exactly two seconds late for work and it’s just too perfect an opportunity.
Comment by Pierce — January 17, 2007 @ 9:17 am
hey, you’re alive!
we have the same stuff in toronto that pierce described. i have been known to run at 3 or 2. those 2 seconds could change my whole day! also, when it’s -20 celsius… yeah, i want to get inside!
Comment by anne — January 17, 2007 @ 10:42 am
In my city, Royal Oak we only have a green light to go and then it blinks orange for the last 5 seconds – no sounds (thank God). We do have a bunch of pedestrian walkways to cross the road. Supposedly, you step out on one and the cars legally have to stop.
Detroit is a whole different matter. You just walk or drive where ever the damn well you please. No cop, no stop! Traffic lights and signs are merely suggestions.
Oh, and welcome back to the blogosphere.
Comment by Jim — January 17, 2007 @ 11:19 am
Yes, yes, I’m alive, it’s been a while, etc. Also, Pierce, how do blind people find the vibrating box in the first place?
Comment by Feaverish — January 18, 2007 @ 10:06 am
Emmm… because it’s going beep? But if it’s going beep I’m not sure why they need it to vibrate.
Also, the paving at crossings is all covered in bumps. This is for blind people also. You can feel them with your feet. I can’t remember if I saw these in America.
Comment by Pierce — January 18, 2007 @ 10:22 am
You know it’s a complete coincidence that I replied ten minutes after you asked me a question. I haven’t been waiting around all day for a response. I’m actually just home after a very busy and productive day. I’d just like to make this clear.
Comment by Pierce — January 18, 2007 @ 10:29 am
Oh right: it’s beeping. You did say that. For some reason I was thinking these people were blind and deaf. But then, why would they be outside at all? For the smells?
And I have been waiting around all day for a response.
Comment by Feaverish — January 18, 2007 @ 10:38 am
America doesn’t care about blind people. We are filled with Libratarian, A-type personalities who think blind people did something to deserve it and they can get hit by cars and dust themselves off and just work harder next time.
Comment by Jim — January 18, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
For the record, you’re not really a country boy from Portland, Oregon. Aren’t you actually a country boy from France or Africa or some shit?
Comment by Sloop — January 23, 2007 @ 8:54 am
Well, I lived in “Metropolitan” Portland for longer than I’ve ever lived anywhere else, so I can call it home slash make fun of it as much as I want.
Comment by Feaverish — January 23, 2007 @ 10:36 am