This issue involves the very short crosswalk across the exit from the Porter Square Shopping Center onto Mass. Ave. By my count, there are over 25 seconds when the crosswalk says "Don't Walk" even though the traffic is stopped by a red light. Not surprisingly, this leads to pedestrians deciding it's OK to go. The traffic light for cars exiting the shopping center then suddenly turns green after 25+ seconds, with not warning for pedestrians. The cars have very little time to exit before the light turns red again, so the drivers tend to gun it. As a consequence, I regularly see pedestrians almost get hit here (including with baby carriages, on several occasions). I have written about this problem before, and the response was, "We are doing a study." I cannot begin to comprehend why it takes a study to remedy this very dangerous situation by adjusting the "Walk" and "Don't Walk" lights so that they are consistent with when the traffic is stopped and when it it not stopped. Please correct the problem now.
