As new pedestrian signals are installed or existing ones are upgraded, the N.C. Department of Transportation is programming them with an enhanced safety feature.
NCDOT is adding what is called a “leading pedestrian interval,” or LPI, to its traffic signals, giving pedestrians a head start of three to seven seconds to enter the marked crosswalk before motorists on the parallel direction get a green light. This interval allows pedestrians to better establish themselves in the crosswalk to drivers who must yield to them before making a left or right turn.
“This change makes pedestrians more visible for drivers,” said Nick Zinser, NCDOT’s Western Region Signals Engineer. “It’s a safety enhancement, and it can be done at a low cost by reprogramming the existing equipment at our traffic signals.”
LPI use is already common in the downtowns of the state’s largest cities of Charlotte and Raleigh, but NCDOT is working to add this feature at all signalized pedestrian crossings statewide.
North Carolina has over 3,500 intersections that have signalized pedestrian crossings. Since making this policy change earlier this year, the department estimates 20% of those intersections now have a leading pedestrian interval for improved safety.
Going forward, the department and its municipal partners will continue to increase the number of locations with leading pedestrian interval capabilities.
Contributed/courtesy photo.
