Smart Pedestrian Crossings

[longknife]

They'll determine when enough people are waiting to change the light. Read more @ London testing 'smart' pedestrian crossings - Telegraph

 

[flacaltenn]

Brings up a better question of why they can't do MORE !!
Easy for a group of folks to push that big metal button.

But they can't clear the pedestrian path if traffic is clogging the box at the intersection.
Maybe they could turn into traffic cops to clear the box.

Or Maybe --- they could cure the blindspots caused by trucks and SUVs where neighboring lanes can't SEE pedestrians until they become hood ornaments.

In california and other "stop for pedestrian" states, I've seen too many close calls where at a crosswalk -- but folks are crossing and the curbside lane STOPPED for them (as required) -- but the LEFT lane cant' even SEE them because of the stopped traffic. Might have an automatic stoplight that detects pedestrians in the crosswalk and signals traffic in ALL lanes to a halt.. Much safer..

 

[Delta4Embassy]

Meanwhile the poor single person is screwed? That wont work.

Better solution is the most obvious: build a simple bridge or tunnel under the road. Not that hard.