If you’ve ever been stuck at a crosswalk, which is actually called a ‘Zebra Crossing’ in England, you know how frustrating it can be. It feels as though you’ll never get to cross, no matter how many times you press the button. Because of this, and because the U.S. government tends to care about cars more than people, many people believe the light itself is just a gimmick, put in place by city officials, to give you the illusion of having some control. However, those buttons work, but maybe not in the way you’d expect.

For example, at many intersections, you can press the button, and it will eventually lead to a “walk” signal. This happens because the action of pushing the button sends a request to include a pedestrian light into the traffic signal system. So rather than getting an instant light change, the entire cycle runs until the go-ahead light gets its turn. But other systems don’t need a pedestrian to hit the button. That’s because the full cycle with a walk signal is preprogrammed to run automatically without needing a physical command.

It’s this inconsistency that undoubtedly makes it feel as though the buttons are doing nothing at all. Also, pedestrians often aren’t given confirmation that the button has been pressed, as the systems just aren’t designed that way. Since the process takes place internally, everyone waiting for the signal to change is left wondering if the button works at all. The problem is you really can’t tell one way or the other.

Traffic systems around the world can vary from one location to the next. This can make it nearly impossible to predict how each system will behave at each crosswalk. What happens when you push the button depends on the type of crossing it is, or even the time of day. Some systems use sensors to detect pedestrians and adjust signal timing without any using any buttons at all.

But despite the multiple traffic control systems being utilized, a hybrid system has been introduced in some American cities. The High intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) system is activated by pedestrians, but it operates differently than traditional setups. That’s because instead of being integrated into a standard traffic signal cycle, it uses a pedestrian-triggered beacon that directly controls driver movement.

HAWK uses a specific sequence of flashing yellow lights, with each phase instructing the driver of what to do. The solid red phase means pedestrians are free to cross, and a final flashing red light allows drivers to go forward only after coming to a complete stop and ensuring the crosswalk is clear. HAWK is currently being used in several states, including California, and Arizona. However, HAWK has proven to be complex, as Massachusetts drivers were so confused by the new system in 2025, they were actually running red lights.