If it works, I nominate Front and Broadway as the next location. The one thats there gives a short walk signal before the light turns green and then goes to a countdown. Right-turning drivers pay little attention (including police cars).

I noticed that drivers always assume they have the right-of-way, injuring pedestrians that really did… especially when said drivers are on their cell phones. ;P

The crosswalk problem has been tacitly acknowledged as severe by the City, County and State Governments. Witness the “Candlesticks” at the Crosswalk in front of Boise’s Public Works Department on State St., the Candlesticks and Orange Flags that where on the State St. Side of the Capitol (before construction), etc…

—

Wanna know what REALLY works and doesn’t cost otherwise Law Abiding Taxpayers a Dime?

Brutal, Draconian Fines and prompt / immediate reporting to the Offender’s Insurance Carrier.

—

I personally like how some European nations calculate Traffic fines according to a percentage of a person’s annual income.

“Equal Justice Under The Law” becomes much more of a reality and less of a quaint notion then.

—

Naomi-

Red Arrow = No Turn until Green Arrow.

Red Light = Right on Red, after coming to a complete, full stop. And even then, only into the Right-Most (closest) Lane, yielding to traffic with the Green.

Left on Red? From a One-Way onto a One-Way, or From a Two-Way onto a One-Way after a complete, full stop. And then only into the the Left-Most (closest) Lane, yielding to traffic with the Green.

I’ve got a great view of this particular light from my office. It seems like it would work great if people understood it. The biggest problem I noticed when road workers were testing it today is that long after the pedestrian has crossed and the red lights are flashing people don’t realize they are allowed to drive through the light. People also stop when it starts flashing orange which is long before it actually switches to red.

I like the idea but it’s just too different from anything else on the road.

The new stretch of Ustick actually has THREE different types of pedestrian crosswalk lights

1. The orange lights on the ground (which I see people drive through everyday as they are hard to see in the evening sun)

2. The normal traffic light with the green light, orange light, and red light. (Most effective at getting cars to stop but leaves cars idling long after the pedestrian has left the street)

3. And this new system…

In Boise any kind of yellow light means “speed up before it turns red” not slow down or caution. It’s a Boise tradition. I think they used to teach it that way in Driver’s Ed when they also taught us how to use a stick shift. Memory is a little fuzzy…

I try to be “green” and walk as much as possible. But crossing a street in Boise is a nighmare. Even the police won’t stop for you when you are in a crosswalk with a sign that says, “Stop When Occupied” and you are pointing to it. We need pedestrian laws enforced. We in Boise should be able to walk across the street.