We love to uncover a hidden truth, but the truth is usually more complicated than appearances, not the exact opposite of appearances.

There are places where the button is functional and necessary! Not every crossing is at the intersection of two major streets. https://twitter.com/sam_baker/status/1247518325539778560

I used to live on a major through street in Omaha that bordered a bunch of residential neighborhoods and apartment complexes. Where the interior residential streets t-boned the major road, the crossing signals would not come on if you didn't press the button.

Some of those signals also had distinct auditory cues that the other signals on that stretch of road didn't have, even at busier intersections, so I imagine the process that put them in place was more specific.

Of the "non-functional" buttons... it's not that *all* of them do nothing. It's true they don't immediately summon a crossing signal. It's true the crossing signal will come on if you don't press them.

Doesn't mean the input from the button goes nowhere.

You know how some cross streets won't get a green light (and block the main street) very often/at all if the sensors don't detect there's a car waiting there? The cross button on some intersections does the same function but for people.

A sign from the city that the walk sign will go on regardless is not a confession that the button is a worthless decoy, it's an invitation to be patient because the cycle will get to you regardless.

Some of them may do nothing! Some of them only affect the cycle at certain points in the cycle! Some of them will decrease the delay before you get worked into the cycle!

I do not drive and I used to walk up to ten miles a day through all kinds of different neighborhoods to get to and from work.

My advice, if you're trying to avoid touching buttons? Chill at the corner and see what happens.

If you sit there and the system lets both streets have a full green light cycle without ever waving you through - make like Shug Avery and push that button.

If you sit there and the dead cross-street never gets a green light while the street you want to cross roars, hit it.

Here's a good article about the intricacies. https://www.citylab.com/life/2015/09/ask-citylab-do-walk-buttons-actually-do-anything/400760/