Made a couple of passes by this corner in the afternoon. Both times people with clipboards watching, writing, and crossing. Someone is measuring compliance with the crosswalk ordinance. Everyone was stopping as they should each time I went by.
Seventh & Washington
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Must be the “watcher” effect (what’s that called again?). Lots of non-compliance when I’ve tried to cross! Maybe we can station some realistic mannequins with clipboards…
Hawthorne?
Re: Hawthorne
Reference is to the possibility that motorists modify behavior in response to the fact that they know they’re being studied. More here.
I think “Schrödinger’s Cat” is more like it.
Over the past couple months I’ve noticed not only people stopping when I cross at a crosswalk, but people not raging at me when I stop for pedestrians. Reminds me of walking/driving in Traverse City.
What I have noticed though, is that many pedestrians are freaked out when I stop my car so they can cross. They look confused as I wave them across the crosswalk.
The sign at that intersection hasn’t been knocked down for 15 weeks, according to the webcam that watches that corner: [link]
Webcam, monitors with clipboards, etc. But guessing the Ann Arbor Rapist hasn’t been captured yet. Or the Ann Arbor Arsonist.
Personally, I find the idea that someone is monitoring the intersection via web cam a bit creepy. A bit Orwellian for my tastes.
John,
The intersection webcam was prompted by frequent car-sign accidents.
[link] is a FOIA response (actually, a FOIA denial) with details of 10 car-sign incidents in 4 months.
Wow, what a snippy letter. I hope the new administrator can maintain a more civil relationship with the public.