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VIDBE-Q Volume 63 Issue 4
Self-Study Guide: Crossing at Modern Traffic Signals
By Dona Sauerburger, Gene Bourquin, and Bonnie Dodson-Burk
Essential topics covered in this Self-Study Guide include:
• Implications of actuation (unpredictability of the timing of
the cycles, and the need for pressing the pedestrian
pushbutton);
• Pedestrian signals and pushbuttons, how they work (including the need to start
the crossing during WALK signal), and suggestions for when the WALK signal is
not accessible as well as what to do at actuated signals with no pushbutton or
WALK signal;
• Implications of traffic patterns of modern signals for pedestrians, including
protected left turns.
The Self-Study Guide has a dozen videos illustrating many of the concepts, as well as
drawings and pictures.
Picture 6. Picture shows a traffic signal suspended on a
horizontal pole above the street. Next to the signal is a
camera, which is circled for emphasis. The camera looks
like a long tube about a foot long and 4 inches high,
aiming toward the traffic that is facing the signal.
Picture 7. There are four images of different pedestrian
signals: red lettering that says "DON'T WALK," and white
lettering that says "WALK;" a red hand, and a white
silhouette of a person walking.
Picture 8. A man with a long cane stands on the sidewalk
next to a pole with a box that has the pedestrian
pushbutton. He has his hand on top of the box, waiting to
feel it vibrate, which would indicate the WALK sign is on.
