Countdown timers: time to counter?

Megan presented at the annual SNUG workshop in New Plymouth on countdown timers for pedestrians and cyclists. This included a critique of the current application of countdown timers in NZ, and a survey showing that only about half of New Zealanders understand it, and even fewer act in accordance.  

Megan also presented a summary of the many applications of countdown timers in other countries, and some of their findings. 

Megan’s conclusion is that it would be better to use countdown timers as a tool to give people information and allow them to decide whether they want to cross the road, or wait until next time. 

The presentation is available to view here.

Countdown timer for pedestrians at the intersection of Armagh Street and Saint Asaph Street, Christchurch.

 

Where presented/published

24 August 2023 - Signals NZ User Group (SNUG) Workshop, New Plymouth

Authors