A Pedestrian Guide text only format

A Pedestrian’s Guide to

Push-Button Activated

Traffic Signals

Montgomery County DOT
Transportation Systems Management Section

Drive With Care; Walk With Caution:

For Safety tips click this link (sends you to another site)

Pedestrian signals will not automatically change to provide pedestrian crossings at locations with push buttons; the button must be pushed to activate the signals. Pedestrians should never cross the intersection on a green light activated by a vehicle because time provided for vehicles varies from cycle to cycle and may not be sufficient for pedestrians.

Each intersection is timed differently according to it’s size and traffic/pedestrian patterns. Intersections have been studied and timed based on an average walking speed. Longer crossing times are provided at intersections used primarily by children and senior citizens.

You must first press the pedestrian pushbutton. Waiting time will vary at each intersection.

Wait for the WHITE, WALKING FIGURE symbol ( or WALK signs on older signals) before you step off the curb into the street.

Look both ways for moving and turning vehicles, then proceed with caution across the intersection, walking between the crosswalk lines.

The ORANGE FLASHING HAND (or DON'T WALK signs on older signals) alerts pedestrians that they may not start crossing the intersection, but may finish crossing if already started during the "WALK" indication.

When the ORANGE HAND (or DON'T WALK signs on older signals) stops flashing, traffic will begin to move across the crosswalk. Pedestrians should wait on the curb for the next WALK symbol to be activated by once again pushing the button.

If you have any questions please call 240-777-2190

Copy of this form is available on the web at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/dot/tmc/ped