Originally posted by unixrevolution American cities are inefficient. We never have corner-to-corner crosswalks.
When I first in Tokyo, I didn't really get the point of this type of crossing except it looks cool
. but later I learn that it designs to help reduce human-jam (on the sidewalk) + trafficjam at the same time which it seems to work well here. Shibuya crossing is a very good example. they got x100 more people during rush hour and or weekend waiting to cross the road in front of the main train station. normal road crossing rule has no change of dealing with that many people.
Talk about Shibuya cross, here you go, Saturday evening at Shibuya cross. Crossing road there looks very much like Braveheart's battle scene!
not sure if anyone can see street below.