In reply to Scott.

I'm curious, though, if the problem with walk buttons is the implementation instead of the button idea itself. I don't think that there's a better way of signifying at an intersection that a walker wants to cross other than a button; the problem is that it's set up so that pedestrians are simply allowed to cross the next full cycle, instead of trying to have them cross during the current light cycle, if possible.

I worry that if we try to make walking easier without regarding people who wish to drive that we throw the baby out with the bathwater. Yes, we should make it easier for people to walk, even if there is some inconvenience to vehicle traffic. However, the cost allowed should be proportionate to the amount of pedestrian traffic versus vehicle traffic in a certain area.