KC: No more 'must push button to walk' in downtown

Since Kansas City, Missouri, updated traffic signals throughout the downtown area--using Operation Green Light funding for much of the work--pedestrians have been complaining that they never get a walk signal unless a button is pressed.

Due to the way the signals are programmed, this often means a long wait--or jaywalking against a "don't walk" signal.

By our observation, the practical result of this was less than a quarter of pedestrians pushed the button and waited.

Most people in downtown--more than 75% at one intersection where we stopped and counted--simply ignore the pedestrian signal altogether and cross when possible (with the green light) without waiting for a walk signal.

At a recent City Council committee meeting, where the new KCMO Bicycle/Pedestrian Action Committee was presenting on unrelated matters, several city council members complained about the change.

Public Works promised to look into the issue and get back.

The result--

Let's Go KC is happy to announce that in about three weeks you will no
longer have to push a button to get a walk signal in the Downtown Loop. All
traffic signals will automatically include the pedestrian walk signal at all
times. This new pedestrian-friendly policy is the result of lobbying by
groups like Let's Go, the Downtown Neighborhood Association, many individual
concerned citizens, and some enlightened City Council members.

Learn more about this change on our web site.

Let's Go KC is hoping to expand this policy to other pedestrian-heavy neighborhoods around the city.

Let's Go KC is spearheaded by former MOBikeFed board member Laurie Chipman and current MoBikeFed Legislative Chair Eric Rogers, who is also chair of KCMO's Bicycle/Pedestrian Action Committee.