ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[plam]

I hate to say it, but as a motorist this is one of the most annoying things ever.  We don't mind stopping for pedestrians who have requested a signal - but nothing is more wasteful than when a pedestrian comes up to a crosswalk, hits the button, looks both ways and crosses on the flashing red hand anyway.   They're long gone and traffic comes to a standstill, forcing them to decelerate, idle, and then accelerate - needlessly wasting fuel.

How would you waste any less fuel or idle for less time if the pedestrian waits patiently for the light to turn red and only then begins to cross?

Feels like a waste, since the wait is now no longer necessary. Objectively, of course not, as pointed out by someone.