Welcome to khan.org

User Interface Design at a Crosswalk (Finally!)

Have you ever noticed that people who press crosswalk light buttons hit them more than once, and with more force than is probably required? Why?

Well because the button is poorly designed, that's why. You don't know how much force you need to apply to "register" a click, and can't be sure your first push did the trick.

The only thing I find more of a pet peeve "IRL" are poorly designed doors. I'm speaking of push bars installed on doors that need to be pulled, and handles (rather than push bars or a steel push panel) on doors that are designed to be pushed. It's like putting "save" on the button that deletes all your files.

So, gentle reader, considering my pseudo-fanatical stance on crosswalk buttons and door handles, it won't surprise you that once I found the first intelligently designed crosswalk button I'd ever seen, I had to take a picture of it. (Note the LED that lights up when you press the button)