While the thought may be well intended, ignoring for now the prejudicial phrase "beg button," the implementation of this idea creates problems. Broken buttons that fail to place a call or change the signal generate complaints. Buttons that are stuck on, repeatedly triggering the signal when no one is waiting to cross generate complaints. To minimize complaints, it is probably best to keep things running as they are, repairing buttons when they are broken. It does not require exposed skin or an uncovered finger to press a pedestrian button. Button plungers are made 2 inches wide for easy actuation. They are made this way for people that are not able to maneuver a gloved finger into a small area to press a small actuator. Burlington was an early adapter of the 2 inch button actuator before it was federally mandated, which emanated from a complaint from someone having exactly this difficulty with one of our earlier button styles. Contrary to what we frequently see people do, they are not meant to be banged on or hit. It only takes a little pressure to make them work. People venturing outside and walking around are making contact with many things besides pedestrian buttons. Door knobs, elevator buttons, even outward opening doors with push bar latches, etc., are all things that multiple strangers come into contact with. In the same way people might choose to wear gloves, or use their sleeve or other means to avoid directly touching common public contact surfaces, pressing a pedestrian button can be done with a gloved hand, a sleeved arm, or other means without direct skin contact. The Department of Public Works has resolved this request. Thanks for helping to keep Burlington a great place to live and work.

I don’t think that you get the point. There are a lot of people who are only leaving the house to walk. They touch their own houses and property, and they are trying NOT to touch a button. A gloved hand that has touched the person and their property will transmit germs to a button. Many people are holding dog leashes and touching strollers. I am a healthcare professional and I am asking you to reconsider. The public health concerns outweigh the number of complaints you might get.

Yes, folks may touch other surfaces as well, but that is not an excuse to fail to do everything we can to protect folks.

Now is not the time to coddling drivers :| Why are we caring about whiny complaints in the middle of a pandemic instead of doing everything we can to improve the situation? Not a rhetorical question...

P.s., yes, some of the buttons are the two inch style, but many are also still the "small actuator" style as well.

Thank you for reporting this issue. The Department of Public Works will now begin its investigation into the matter.

The matter is now under serious consideration. An answer is expected by the end of the day.

Thanks for your flexibility in this unique situation. Not only will having these on an automatic pedestrian cycle help prevent cross-contamination from these fomites, a sign or cap over the button housing helps focus attention and reinforce the the very real needs we all must address to help flatten the epidemic curve. Thanks!

The decision was made Tuesday to go ahead with recall and sign placement. However, shortly thereafter, the Governor's issued the stay at home order and the situation has changed. Given the context of fewer people routinely out and about, this is now a lower priority. Therefore, we will pause and reassess as conditions change.

Happy Earth Day! It may now be time to reassess as conditions are starting to change. Please note that the pedestrian call buttons at the intersection of Main and Pine are nonfunctional and would be a great place to start the posting of appropriate signage (or removal of these potential fomites/buttons). Thanks!

This has remained open and somewhat under consideration for over a year. With things getting back to normal, the original impetus is largely gone, and this needs to be resolved.

Some manufacturers have responded to the intent of this request with "touch-less" buttons. We have no experience with these yet. No idea if they are reliable (think winter clothes) or if they are worth a presumably higher cost. If they did prove to be reliable, one attractive thing about them is that we would see no more banging on them (sometimes HARD), like we see with our existing buttons that can break with this kind of gross abuse. The large actuator surfaces were meant to be easy to press (2 ounces) for people with less dexterity than most of us, not targets for kick boxing practice.

We are in the middle of installing our latest batch of 42 tactile pedestrian indicators (TPIs). These are the talking buttons that give a tone when pressed, say the location when pressed for 2-3 seconds, and have a raised arrow on the actuator, pointing in the direction of the crossing, that vibrates (tactile) while the walk signal is on.

The lack of a tactile arrow on a touch-less button means they may not be a suitable replacement for the ADA type buttons we are installing now. Future rules and technology may resolve this situation. If they are less expensive than TPIs and reliable, they might be worth the additional expense versus conventional buttons.

The Department of Public Works has resolved this request. Thanks for helping to keep Burlington a great place to live and work.

Thanks for your explanation and consideration of this matter. Too bad the talking buttons don't scream OUCH when abused, but great that they'll provide positive feedback when actuated by good touch.

You know, it's funny, piezo element buttons produce an internal voltage proportional to the pressure applied. We have the technology (with modification, of course) to have them say "Ouch!," or some such thing if hit too hard. Besides that short message, I would have them say, "Gently, or the signal WON'T change!" Not exactly an industry standard, but fun to think about.