The Wait Button

I walked past the brick wall to the metal crossing pole at the kerb. It had a yellow utility box attached at hip height. In the centre was a round black button with the word PUSH embossed above it. I pressed it with the palm of my hand. A small rectangular display immediately illuminated with the red word WAIT. That seemed straightforward enough. I stood on the pavement beside the textured paving slabs and followed the instruction. After about forty seconds, the indicator switched off and a rapid electronic beeping began as a green silhouette lit up opposite. I did not actually need to cross the street, but the mechanism had functioned accurately.