What does the term "countdown signal" refer to?

A countdown signal specifically refers to a pedestrian signal that displays a countdown timer indicating the remaining time for pedestrians to cross the street safely. This type of signal is designed to improve pedestrian safety by giving them a clear visual indication of how much time is left before the walking phase ends and the traffic signal changes to red.

This visual cue helps pedestrians make informed decisions about whether to start crossing or to wait, reducing uncertainty and the risk of accidents. The countdown timer typically counts down in seconds, which directly informs individuals about the time they have left to safely cross the roadway.

Other options, while related to traffic and pedestrian management, pertain to different functionalities that do not involve the essential purpose of countdown signals in aiding pedestrian crossings. For instance, counting vehicles or indicating green light durations does not directly support pedestrian safety in the same way, and devices counting pedestrian traffic do not provide real-time instructions to pedestrians regarding their crossing times.