Crosswalk Signs

[gmat]

This is an unscientific survey of crosswalk signals in Tokyo. I cycled from my apartment to near Uguisudani station, about an hour and a half trip across Tokyo.

 

There are two basic types, an older one with a white light bulb and a translucent colored face plate. The figure is white and the background either red or green.

 

 

The second and presumably newer version has the figure made from an array of LEDs with the background left black/un-illuminated. I would guess that this might be more expensive, but saves in energy usage.

 

 

Best wishes,

Grant

[gmat]

The row of bars indicate how much time remains before the signal changes. I counted about 8 seconds for each bar for the busier street with left turn sign versus 3/4 seconds for the other way. I think that these signs are only on streets with enough pedestrian traffic (including deaf pedestrians) to justify installing it. Some crossings have a speaker that emit sounds like bird chirps, bell tones and tunes like Coming Through the Rye, for blind pedestrians. I passed only four signals with timing bars. Three were in front of train or subway stations and crossed a major highway. The fourth crossed a major highway, but was not near a train station. Other crosswalks (only three passed) on this highway did not have the timing bars.

 

 

 

 

Best wishes,

Grant

[gmat]

The older signs had separate boxes for the timing bars.

 

Another variation.

 

Best wishes,

Grant

[CaptOblivious]

Grant, this is very useful info, thanks!!

[gmat]

Thank you,  CaptOblivious,

I forgot to add that the vast majority of signs passed and noted were the older type, and they are not necessarily being replaced by the LED types. A light that was set up within the past year near my apartment had the non-LED pedestrian sign. The same goes for a sign that was recently moved in front of the Shinjuku station south exit.

 

I will probably go out tomorrow and check on the crosswalks with the aural signals. I passed one last night about 9:00 that had the speaker, but did not play. I only heard four last night and wonder if they shut of at night.

 

Best wishes,

Grant

[Guest ___]

I'm not sure why they use a bar time down system. For one I am grateful we are getting new signals here with the physical count down time in actual numbers. However, I wish we would have the music play for the different direction of traffic to cross at for the deaf.

[gmat]

Have been laid in bed with a cold recently.

Snapped this of the speaker that sounds out the crossing tunes.

 

 

 

Taken at Sangenjaya, Setagaya Ward.

 

I didn't make it clearer, but the bars are probably for the handicapped, the aged or young who may have trouble if caught mid street when the signal changed. It lets them know if they have enough time to make it across.

Best wishes,

Grant