Here's what I know:

1) in Auckland, NZ the intersections downtown allow diagonal crossing. The lights are green one direction, green the other, then the pedestrians go and all the cars stop. No beg buttons. Here the audio signals work because you don't have to know which direction they are signaling, since you can go in any direction.

2) There is a way for sight impaired pedestrians to know when to cross by using an app in their cell phones. It vibrates the phone, or makes an audible signal when it is ok to cross. Every one does not have to listen to it.

3) The streets belonged to the people before the cars were there. It was a consortium of auto companies and advocates that got jay-walking laws on the books. Those crossings were never put there for the benefit of pedestrians. They were to facilitate cars to encourage their use and sales. Take the streets back. Cross where you want.

4) Much of the on-street parking spaces that 'buffer' people from traffic are on land that used to be the sidewalk. If the sidewalks are wide enough, no buffering is needed. I do not feel the need for buffering when walking down Nicollet Mall or streets in Europe.