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Red Hand, White Man: Conflicted Crosswalks Taking Over!
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 13, 2009
Modified Jan 13, 2009
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By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 13, 2009
Modified Jan 13, 2009
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We've been getting more and more tips about broken crosswalk signals showing both the Don't Walk symbol ("Red Hand") and the Walk symbol ("White Man") simultaneously. Today a reader e-mails: "My girlfriend and I have noticed an ongoing problem of the 'Walk/Don't' walk signs actually 'freezing' in place when it gets cold out. Both a bright red hand and a walk sign stay up at the same time, presumably opening the city up to some serious lawsuits should something go awry. We must have seen it about 30 times in the last month, prompting my email."
The malfunction did not seem so prevalent with the old crosswalk signals, which were textual and illuminated with incandescent bulbs. These new signs were fully installed in 2004, and use bright, energy-efficient LED’s.
DOT spokesperson Seth Solomonow sent us this statement: "There are about 100,000 pedestrian signals citywide (roughly about eight pedestrian signals per signalized intersection). Many signals are reaching the end of their expected seven-year life cycle. About 5% were repaired for 'dual phase' issues related to lens problems last year (that is, over a twelve-month period). As with all of our facilities, we have an active program to replace and repair malfunctioning signals. In addition to our own inspections, any individual units that need attention can be reported to 311 for prompt repair."
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both walk don't walk
broken
crosswalk
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manhattan
nyc
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symbol
why
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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