Why this Toronto crosswalk button doesn't always work

[@timc1361]

So the buttons don't do anything. Except when they do. Got it.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

Pretty much everywhere else in Ontario (and the world I assume) they label the buttons differently depending on whether you actually need to press to get a walk light or the button is only there for the audible tones. But in Toronto they put the same sign on both types so people end up pressing the button when they don't need to and not pressing the button when they do need to.

[@TransitAndTeslas]

reaperexpress Here in Phoenix they don’t label the differences either. I asked about it and it’s to keep the options open to reprogram it to always require a button press later in the day, at night etc. It will be automatic certain times of day and require a button press at night for example. Of course APS features are live all the time.

[@Africa154]

reaperexpress yo

[@jirehcollective4876]

@@OntarioTrafficMan Yeah, that was quite confusing to me as well but it looks like they have swapped many black ones out with the blue ones which are automatic and don't require to be pressed?

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

@@jirehcollective4876 Yes a couple years ago they started actually labelling the buttons which you don't need to press, which is a huge improvement.

[@erikbrickman4461]

In my town most of the buttons excluding downtown will only activate the walk light if you press the button

[@jayhart5659]

Yeah, there's an intersection infront of my home in Toronto that stays green almost all night; it does the "turns yellow back to green" cycle, unless there's a car or the button is pressed.

[@watchgeek1]

There is one I actually deal with on my way to work that if I don't keep my finger on the button that it never changes to walk. Its an older one thought that doesn't make those noises.

[@TorontoRoadcams]

The end of this video is misleading. If a car activates the timer and causes the light to change the pedestrian crossing may not activate if the pedestrian doesn't push the button.

[@Roof_Pizza]

I haven't found too many intersections in Toronto that are activated by cars. Getting stuck at a red at 2 am is my measure. Vancouver has way, way more. Dunno if its a money thing or they just dont stand up to Toronto's winters.

[@Africa154]

Toronto Roadcams Dash Cam Videos hi

[@Africa154]

roof pizza hi

[@FwyDriver]

Most of our new or retrofitted signals around Maine and New Hampshire require the pedestrian phase to be activated only upon push button activation. Our signals usually don’t automatically include the pedestrian phase every cycle or rest in walk especially at isolated intersections.

[@weazz]

Because living in Calgary this is such an important and compelling story for Canadians...

[@Africa154]

weazz hi

[@hudsona4004]

At Sentinel Rd and The Pond Rd the button will activate the walk sign, but only in the summer. In the winter it's unnecessary. The city does it probably because there's less students walking up at YorkU in the summer.

[@hudsona4004]

Also, I wonder if some intersections vary by time of day and day of the week.

[@nathandean1687]

it actually depends on when the cycle of the lights are on.

[@Africa154]

Nathan Dean hi

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

Here's a crazy idea, how about the City labels the buttons we actually need to press to cross the street with a different label than the ones which are only there for the noises?

[@buizelbus3332]

The traffic lights will flash green instead of being stale green. (what's known as a Pedestrian Controlled Intersection), at least that's how it works here in Vancouver.

[@Stop..carry-on]

Nonsense, these things need to be intuitive

[@Roof_Pizza]

So cool. Lights and signals vary from province to province so nice to see this. A flashing green light in Ontario is a bit different than a flashing green light in BC. Also, yellow lights are longer in Ontario than they are in BC.

[@Africa154]

roof pizza hi

[@Ezia12s93]

It does not make it go on walk faster but its fun to press to pass the time

[@agahajak]

I actually shat myself once because my house was 5 mins across the street and the light took forever to change, no one knows this secret though, besides CBC and 215+ other viewers, I'm up for an interview tho so let me know.

[@torontocharlz]

I saw FLEMO!!

[@thecraziestcanuck]

Sure at Elmer and Queen in the Beach is the Perfect Example !

[@Africa154]

D. Clarke yooo

[@deltaecho1]

Canada. The Land of inefficiencies.

[@meatplunger3996]

NYC's buttons don't work either so it ain't just Canada lol

[@Africa154]

deltaecho1 hi

[@Labtop215]

Is this a response to Adam Ruins everything's episode on this topic?

[@Africa154]

Labtop215 hi

[@dimrrider9133]

Lucky we have loops under the asphalt here, we dont have to push or wait.

[@schnuurtchke]

When I walk to the bus stop I use those buttons

[@durrrrl3435]

Shannon Martin is freakin' HOT!!

[@WesternSouthDakotaRailfan2006]

Durrrrl34 kinda is

[@SequoyaCheyenne]

alarm