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A pedestrian signal allows a safe way for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the street at signalized intersections. The pedestrian signal, when activated, provides time for pedestrians to enter the street on the steady "WALK" signal and finish crossing the street on the flashing "DON'T WALK" signal. The pedestrian signal is activated by a pedestrian pushbutton detector, which causes the traffic signal controller to operate a preprogrammed timed sequence of steady "WALK" and flashing "DON'T WALK" indications.

Pedestrian signal indications consist of "WALK" and "DON'T WALK" signals or international symbols displaying a person walking for the "WALK" indication and a hand for the "DON'T WALK" indication. The "WALK" or person walking symbol is displayed in white and the "DON'T WALK" or hand symbol is displayed in orange.

The pedestrian signal sequence begins when the "WALK" indication or person walking symbol is illuminated. During this interval, pedestrians are given time to leave the curb and begin crossing the street. Caution: When in the crosswalk, pedestrians should watch for turning vehicles.

The pedestrian clearance interval consists of a flashing "DON'T WALK" indication or hand symbol. During this interval pedestrians should complete their crossing. The flashing signal is a warning to pedestrians who have not yet entered the intersection that it's too late to safely cross the street before the traffic signal changes. This interval provides a sufficient amount of time for pedestrians who have already started crossing to safely finish while the signal is flashing.

The "DON'T WALK" indication or hand symbol, steadily illuminated, means that pedestrians should not enter the street in the direction of the pedestrian signal.

Pedestrian pushbutton detectors are available to pedestrians and bicyclists because traffic signals are timed for vehicles, not for pedestrians. After pressing the pushbutton, the “WALK” indication may not illuminate immediately. Be patient. At the appropriate time in the traffic signal sequencing, the “WALK” indication will be illuminated. If the pushbutton is not pressed, the “WALK” indication may not come on and the traffic signal may not allow pedestrians enough time to safely cross the street.

Countdown Pedestrian Signals

Coming soon to the Village of Mount Prospect will be countdown pedestrian signals. This relatively new technology gives pedestrians a better comprehension of the flashing hand by counting down the number of seconds left to cross the street. The primary safety benefit is that pedestrians are less likely to still be in the street when the pedestrian signal sequence ends (steady hand symbol). They also can reassure a pedestrian who is in the crosswalk when the flashing hand appears that he or she still has time to finish crossing and does not need to panic, run to the opposite side, return to the starting side, or stop in the middle of the street.
 

Countdown pedestrian signals will first be installed at the following two intersections in Mount Prospect and considered at other intersections in the future:

• Main Street (Route 83) & Central Road
• Elmhurst Road (Route 83) & Lincoln Street

Grants from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity as well as the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation will fund this project. By upgrading existing pedestrian signals from incandescent bulbs to light emitting diodes (LEDs), we are making our community more energy efficient. LEDs use less energy and last longer benefiting the environment.