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District Department of Transportation

Pedestrians Get More Time to Cross Busy Streets Under Mayor Bowser's Vision Zero Initiative

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Bowser announced that the Department of Transportation (DDOT) will retime traffic signals at more than 90 intersections to further prioritize pedestrian safety as part of the Vision Zero Initiative to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries in the District. On Friday, November 2, DDOT will retime traffic signals around the Navy Yard, as well as high-volume areas in Wards 7 and 8, where data-testing has recognized the greatest need.

"Using technology and small scale changes to reduce pedestrian-vehicle conflicts is a key component of our Vision Zero strategy and one of the many ways we are working to make our streets safer," said Mayor Bowser. "We will continue to use every means available to eliminate preventable collisions."

DDOT has identified 93 out of a total of 227 intersections in this area for timing adjustments based on signal and pedestrian conflict data. Following this implementation, over 50 percent of the targeted area will be equipped to provide leading pedestrian intervals.

Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs), as the process is known, provide pedestrians with a “Walk” signal a few seconds in advance of the green signal for adjacent vehicular movements. This “head start” provides pedestrian priority and improves pedestrian visibility by establishing a presence in the crosswalk before turning vehicles start moving. This relatively low-cost treatment, which requires adjustments to existing signal timing, has been shown to reduce pedestrian-vehicle collisions where implemented.

"As we continue to build on Mayor Bowser's Vision Zero strategy, DDOT will make greater use of technology, like the LPIs, infrastructure improvements and education," said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian. "By using data, as well as public input, to drive our decision making we will make our roads safer."

The earliest LPIs were implemented in the District between 2003 and 2005. DDOT has a total of 212 LPIs citywide based on locations with a known history of pedestrian conflicts.

Below are the locations for the 93 intersections where traffic signals will be retimed:

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