It’s virtually impossible to get around State College without running into some form of traffic. Downtown roads are jam-packed with cars, stoplights exist every hundred feet, and crossing pedestrians run wild.

It’s frustrating for an impatient person like myself.

But all my agitation disappears when I see the median by the Trailways bus stop on North Atherton Street. Thousands of people pass by it daily without batting an eye. It’s a subtle detail, but one clearly designed by and for passing pedestrians.

What you may not understand is that State College and campus have nearly a hundred crosswalks, but none let you play Crossy Road and pass one side of traffic while waiting safely in the middle.

That is, except for the crosswalk with a median by the Trailways bus stop on North Atherton Street.

This glorious crosswalk has a roughly 3-foot-wide median in the middle of it and could safely accommodate two dozen or so students who like to play Crossy Road in real life. And, as someone who has lived out west near the aforementioned crosswalk, I’ve picked up on a few trends.

When heading east, this median is a godsend. Very few cars travel down South Atherton Street, and the traffic pattern at the White Course Drive light makes it easy to cross to the halfway point.

But here’s when things get tricky—and when a simple crosswalk would not be nearly as effective.

The traffic heading up North Atherton Street is nonstop. The College Ave. light allows cars to make a right on red, and when they’re not turning, there’s no shortage of cars coming up South Atherton Street past Beaver Ave.

However, being in a position where you only need to find the slightest of gaps on one side of the road makes crossing a whole lot easier. And the final factor in this well-oiled machine is the CATA Bus stop on North Atherton Street. Buses always stop here, forcing cars behind them to stop as well, and giving students just enough time to speed-walk to the campus side of the road.

The only problem is heading back west.

Students get a little risky by crossing to the median without seeing cars merge into the other lane behind the bus. As an experienced crosser, I’m aware of when it’s safe, but disclaimer: don’t be stupid.

The median not only helps crossing pedestrians, but it also helps cars — sort of.

There are fewer stoppages at the traffic light, which only turns red for pedestrians, because people are more inclined to cross on their own, without the help of a walk sign. There are also fewer awkward interactions where a car clearly wants to go, but swarms of crossers on the street simply won’t let it.

Thank you, median by the bus stop on North Atherton Street. And thank you to whoever designed it — your work does not go unnoticed.