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For many years we had no "walk signal buttons" on our traffic lights here in Chicago. Pedestrians were automatically given a "walk" signal as the colour of the light changed. In the past year or two, however, some city planner has got the idea that we ought to have a "walk signal button" on SOME (not many) traffic lights.

In practical terms this means that pedestrians never get a walk signal unless they press a special button at certain, select traffic lights. Now I have lived in suburbs were ALL the traffic lights had a walk signal button, and this was not a problem. One always knew to push the button to get a walk signal. But now if one is walking about the city, one has to be constantly looking for buttons (which are not on the vast majority of traffic lights) or else risk standing on the corner like an idiot for several minutes while waiting for a walk signal that never comes.

Feh.