When combined, the logic is very clear: 人行 (rénxíng) means “pedestrian” (literally “person walking”), and 横道 (héngdào) means a “path that goes across.” Together, 人行横道 (rénxíng héngdào) is the “pedestrian's path across the road.”
The concept of a pedestrian crosswalk is universal, but its application in China has a unique modern context. For decades, crossing the street in China was often a dynamic and assertive “negotiation” between pedestrians and vehicles, a stark contrast to the strict right-of-way given to pedestrians in many Western countries. Foreigners were often surprised by cars not stopping, even when people were in the crosswalk. However, this has been changing dramatically. In the 2010s, a major nationwide campaign called 礼让行人 (lǐràng xíngrén), meaning “Yield to Pedestrians,” was launched. Major cities installed high-definition cameras at intersections to automatically fine drivers who fail to stop for people on a 人行横道. This has led to a significant and rapid shift in driver behavior. While the “old way” of cautiously navigating traffic still exists in some areas, the cultural norm is quickly moving towards respecting the pedestrian's right-of-way. For a learner, this is crucial: you can't assume cars will stop, but you can also see a society in the midst of a major, positive change in traffic culture.
The most important practical point is the difference between formal and informal usage.