so how do you help the blind safely cross the road? the crosswalks throughout new zealand all have the same clever activation switch. when it’s not safe to cross the switch chirps and physically vibrates every couple of seconds. this solves the problem that i have always pondered – how do the blind find the braille sign that says “mens” or “womens” outside the restroom? when it’s safe to cross there is a shaking-a-rock-in-can sound and the switch vibrates rapidly. if it’s a bonus cycle (all lights red, safe to cross in any direction) then a buzzer is added to the mix.