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Let’s Count Together

ByConall Dempsey

In the USA (and perhaps other countries as well) it has become quite popular for cities to add count down timers to pedestrian signals at major intersections. This is done so that pedestrians approaching the intersection can make a more educated guess at to whether they might cross the intersection safely before the light changes.
Stoplight Timer

In Bangkok, Thailand, many intersections feature a much larger count down timer, which is directed towards both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Seems like a great idea to let EVERYONE at the intersection know what is coming up. Of course, it is a bit saddening when the light changes in front of you and you see “211” seconds appear on the count down, but I think this definitely is a situation where the more everyone knows, the safer everyone will be.

2 Comments

  1. does an accurate time lead to pedestrians and/or vehicles racing to get every second of available passage time?

  2. conalldempsey says:

    @ Mark

    I didn’t notice that problem at all, but was only in Bangkok for 8 hours, and only as a pedestrian. I wonder if the drivers would have a different take on it. Good question!

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