Bad Design – Pedestrian Traffic Lights

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I’ve needed to have this rant for some time now; ever since I thought about why pedestrian traffic lights are programmed the way they are. If you think about it, how many times have you pushed the button only to lose your patience and cross the road of your own accord? Then the lights change after you’ve crossed, unnecessarily holding up cars. Why is it that the lights don’t change immediately?

Now there are obviously circumstances where they don’t and shouldn’t change immediately. Like right after they have just changed, or if near another set of lights and they need to be timed together to avoid a traffic back log. But in the case of the pedestrian lights on Great Western Road in Glasgow (photographed) there is no excuse.

Watch the lights and see what I mean, then tell me what you think? Can you think of other examples of bad design?

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