True, if it never reaches the 55% threshold then activation stalls — that’s by design. The “safer” part is mostly about avoiding premature enforcement. It ensures that nodes don’t start rejecting blocks under the new rules until enough of the network has signaled. Basically, it trades speed for coordination....

if you cannot reach 55% before that time, how is it safer?

optimism

Undisciplined

I think the mandatory signalling period is basically a coordination buffer — it prevents nodes from enforcing the new rules before the majority have clearly switched. Even if activation is scheduled, the signalling phase helps miners and node operators sync their versions and avoid accidental chain splits.

It’s kind of a “grace period” rather than a vote. Once everyone’s aligned, enforcement becomes safer.

bitcoin

BIP 110 - Reduce Data Temporary Soft Fork now in BIP repo

Scoresby

I think the mandatory signalling period is basically a coordination buffer — it prevents nodes from enforcing the new rules before the majority have clearly switched. Even if activation is scheduled, the signalling phase helps miners and node operators sync their versions and avoid accidental chain splits.

It’s kind of a “grace period” rather than a vote. Once everyone’s aligned, enforcement becomes safer.