Proven Safety Countermeasures | Pedestrian/Bicycles

13. Leading Pedestrian Intervals

Leading Pedestrian Intervals

SAFETY BENEFIT

13%
Reduction in pedestrian-vehicle
crashes at intersections

Source: pedbikeimages.org/Burden

A leading pedestrian interval (LPI) gives pedestrians the opportunity to enter an intersection 3-7 seconds before vehicles are given a green indication. With this head start, pedestrians can better establish their presence in the crosswalk before vehicles have priority to turn left. LPIs provide the following benefits:

• Increased visibility of crossing pedestrians.
• Reduced conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles.
• Increased likelihood of motorists yielding to pedestrians.
• Enhanced safety for pedestrians who may be slower to start into the intersection.

Source: FHWA

FHWA's Handbook for Designing Roadways for the Aging Population recommends the use of the LPI at intersections with high turningvehicle volumes. Transportation agencies should refer to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for guidance on LPI timing, and ensure that pedestrian signals are accessible to all users. Costs for implementing LPIs are very low, when only signal timing alteration is required. This makes it an easy and inexpensive countermeasure that can be incorporated into pedestrian safety action plans or policies and can become routine agency practice.

Source: pedbikeimages.org/Burden

Source: Goughnour, E., Carter, D., Lyon, C., Persaud, B., Lan, B., Chun, P., Signor, K. (2018). Safety Evaluation of Protected Left Turn Phasing and Leading Pedestrian Intervals on Pedestrian Safety, Federal Highway Administration, Report No. FHWA-HRT-18-044. Washington, D.C.

Revised March 2020

https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/provencountermeasures.

previous | Table of Contents | next