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Is it just me or were the timers they installed on the lights not in sync with the lights when they were first installed? Now it seems they count down and sometimes the lights don’t turn yellow for a while.  
 
Edited by someguy, 2019-01-26 14:43:10

I’ve definitely noticed quite a few side walk timers aren’t in sync. The lights at 18th and Vic are a prime example. The timer could be done in one direction but still counting down a bit from the others. I noticed that one the other day.

Those timers are primarily for pedestrians. Once the timer reaches zero it is unsafe to begin crossing the street, so naturally there will be a delay between when it hits zero and when the traffic light turns yellow. It's to keep pedestrians from entering the intersection after its safe to do so.

Yes it drives me crazy how some turn yellow right at 0 and then others don’t until a bit after. I prepare to stop if I see the 0 but sometimes it’s not needed. Annoying pet peeve of mine lol

Or the city could just sync the timers to the lights properly. Unless things have changed since I did my road test 15 years ago, we were taught on driver’s ed to look at the walk/do not walk light when approaching the intersection. If you saw a flashing hand it meant the light was stale and would be possibly changing soon. Now that they are switching to the count down timers it makes sense that the lights should switch colours when it hits 0.... not a few minutes after

The last poster is saying exactly what I’m thinking. They are quite a bit out of sync and the lights should change to yellow when the timer is done I think. If not that, then at least have some consistency. Why even have them if they’re going to be that wonky?

aren't drivers to be cautioned, stopping & going according to the colours on the traffic lights, of course paying attention to any (perhaps) straggling pedestrians.? These "count-downs" are for pedestrians, not for drivers to watch a half block back so they can get ready to GO and save what ? maybe 5 to 10 seconds. Just my thought of course.

Not all intersections are the same. When entering a larger intersections, say that have boulevards in the median, the counter will end before the yellow light comes on. This has an effect on the driver that makes gives them an extra second or two to safely stop, rather than having less reaction time for the deeper intersection, thus resulting in fewer traffic collisions. They can't increase the length of the yellow light, because that doesn't effect the driver's response, people will always drive through and even after a yellow light. But the counter has been shown to make drivers actually approach the intersection with more cognitive response, rather than just tramping down on the pedal as soon as they see a yellow light. If you notice, the longer the turning lane at an intersection, the longer the delay between the "0" and the yellow. This essentially helps clear the intersection before the advance arrow comes up. Next time have a look around at what intersection you are at when you notice the delay...they're usually at the larger, busier intersections.

information. That makes sense now. :-)

PrimeConvoy, I understand what you are saying. However, I think that the different timing creates confusion for both motorists and pedestrians, which can lead to accidents. At present, neither motorists or pedestrians know from one intersection to another (unless they study them) when the traffic light is going to turn yellow based on the timers. The last intersection may have had a five second delay before the yellow light came on, but the next one is yellow immediately. This could easily lead to pedestrians (particularly mobility impaired people) NOT having enough time to cross when they thought that they had more time and then being caught in the intersection.  
 
The timers should be consistent. The yellow light should come on when the timers reach zero. Motorists can watch the timers. If they know that the light is going to change to yellow when the timer reaches zero, then they have plenty of time to stop for the light. (People pushing the yellow light is for another thread.) This is especially important in poorer traffic conditions. Pedestrians also know that when the timer reaches zero, the light will turn yellow.

Agree totally. Makes more sense to be consistent.

Checking the pedestrian signs to gauge the traffic lights is just an old trick and is not taught, or at least not anymore. They are timed the way they are for a reason and as a driver it can give you an insight to when the light may change but should not be used as the traffic light itself. As a pedestrian you should clear the intersection by 0 and like a previous poster, the bigger, more important and congested intersections have delays to ensure the intersection is cleared. Pedestrians obey the pedestrian lights and drivers focus on the traffic lights.

In a shorter version, that's pretty much (or exactly) what I had said. Drivers shouldn't need explanations on why these "countdowns" aren't synced; just pay attention to your traffic controls - the lights.

When the timers are not synced it is due to one direction having a left turn signal and the other not. So one walk signal and countdown timer starts later. The light will turn yellow when the last of two timers get to zero.

I noticed two small, uncomplicated intersections today where the timers were done a while before any lights turned yellow.