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Crosswalk users can watch the seconds tick by

Some downtown intersections now have countdown signals. Eventually, there will be 41 around town.

By JON WILSON
Published January 30, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - At a few intersections downtown, pedestrians are finding themselves on the clock.

City crews last week began installing countdown signals that let people hiking across intersections know how much time they have - in seconds - before the light changes.

It's intended to improve pedestrian safety, said Joe Kubicki, transportation planning department director.

"The main thrust is to inform the person crossing the crosswalk how much time he's got to complete it," Kubicki said.

"Typically, for ambulatory people, that might not be a problem. But for people disadvantaged in any way or the elderly, knowing how much time they have to complete the walk is extremely important to them."

Technically, you aren't supposed to start walking across an intersection when the flashing, red "don't walk" directive appears.

But most everyone does.

Traffic studies have shown that countdown signals dramatically increase the likelihood that a pedestrian will cross the street before the signal changes, Kubicki said, "so the conclusion was that there was a dramatic increase in safety."

Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Ariz., and Salt Lake City, Utah, are trying the countdown lights, but St. Petersburg is among the first in Florida, Kubicki said. Five of the signals are downtown, most of them near BayWalk. Another 12 will go in during the next month. It costs between $4,500 and $5,500 to set each one up, Kubicki said, so the cost for the first 17 should fall between $76,500 and $93,500.

Federal grants and penny tax money are paying.

A resurfacing project on Third and Fourth streets between Fifth avenues N and S will include mast-arm signals at all intersections, and those will get countdown signals, too. Eventually, there will be 41 around town.

A quick survey of pedestrians late last week found them interested, amused and inclined to like the signals. They weren't always so sure whether they truly enhance safety.

"It's a cool idea, but I don't think it's necessary. I didn't even really notice them until they were pointed out to me," said Todd Murphy.

But Harold Cook was more effusive:

"It's definitely a good thing. It gives you an idea of when it's safe to cross. If you walk up to a crosswalk where the sign is just flashing, you don't know whether it has just started or whether it is about to finish. These new signals solve that problem," he said.

Neighborhood Times timed a few pedestrians crossing Second Avenue N near BayWalk. Solo walkers usually took about 10 seconds. Couples, including one pushing a stroller with child, usually took about 11. The slowest was a man carrying what appeared to be laundry bags in either hand; he started before getting the walk signal, had to pause at the median for a heartbeat or two, then finished in 16 seconds.

Eventually, Kubicki said, pedestrians with visual or hearing problems - who need to know more than others how much time remains - will be able to get neck devices that beep or vibrate the countdown when their wearers approach intersections.

Correspondent Jack Brierley contributed to this report.

[Last modified January 30, 2005, 00:10:19]