Latency Effects in Pressing a Crosswalk Button
A pedestrian arrives at a street intersection equipped with a crosswalk. They press the button mounted on the pole, signaling the desire to cross.
Right after pressing, the traffic signals maintain their ongoing pattern. Vehicle lights shift from red to green and back without interruption. The pedestrian display continues showing "DON'T WALK," steady and unaltered. Cars pass through the intersection in their usual flow.
Time advances, typically from twenty seconds to two minutes. Throughout this span, the intersection's appearance stays consistent. The button's light may glow, but the controlling signals exhibit no variation. The environment remains as it appeared prior to the press.
At length, the pedestrian signal transforms. It displays "WALK" or a figure crossing, marking the point when the outcome materializes visibly.
This progression reveals the latency: the button press has taken place, yet the visible signal adjustment arrives only after a distinct interval.