PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS 

HOW DO THOSE PEDESTRIAN SIGNALS WORK?  

Pedestrian signals are special types of traffic signal indications installed for the exclusive purpose of controlling pedestrian traffic. The City of Dodge City installs pedestrian signals for a variety of reasons, frequently they are:  
•	When the layout of an intersection is such that vehicular indications are not visible to pedestrians.
•	If pedestrian volumes are very heavy, as in a central business district.  
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•	When the traffic movements at an intersection are so complex that special efforts have to be made to communicate with pedestrians.  
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•	If a pedestrian path has to be defined across a complex intersection. 

•	If pedestrians have to be given exclusive use of an intersection in the interest of safety. 

Pushing a button generally located on the traffic signal pole activates pedestrian signals. Push buttons are available to pedestrians because traffic signals are timed for people in cars, not for people on foot. If you don't activate the pedestrian signal by pushing the button, the traffic signal will not give you enough time to safely cross the street.  
Pedestrian signals in The City of Dodge City consist of two indications, the illuminated symbol of a walking person (WALK) or the illuminated symbol of an upraised hand (DON’T WALK). The meanings of pedestrian signal indications are as follows: 

1.	The DON’T WALK indication, steadily illuminated, means that a pedestrian shall not enter the roadway in the direction of the indication.  
2.	The DON’T WALK indication, while flashing, means that a pedestrian shall not start to cross the roadway in the direction of the indication, but that any pedestrian who has partly completed his crossing during the steady WALK indication shall proceed to a sidewalk, or to a safety island.  
3.	The WALK indication means that a pedestrian facing the signal indication may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the indication. The walk indication means that there may or may not be possible conflict of pedestrians with turning vehicles. 

Pedestrian signals do assign you legal rights in the intersection; they are installed for your safety, however, it is important to be cautious when crossing busy intersections. The following suggestions are offered in the interest of safety:   
•	Always cross intersections defensively.  
•	When crossing the street, regardless of the availability of signals, cross as quickly as possible. Minimize your time in the roadway. 
•	Always watch for turning vehicles.  You have the legal right to be there, but that doesn’t protect you from other drivers who are not paying attention.