Giving pedestrians a head start at crosswalks is a simple fix that could save lots of lives. New York City has already seen a significant reduction in fatalities and injuries.
Leading pedestrian intervals, or LPIs, are traffic signals that give pedestrians a few seconds of walking time before cars enter the intersection. Laura Bliss covers how they've been linked to lower fatalities where they're installed.
"Given even a few seconds of priority," Bliss writes, "most [pedestrians] wind up at least halfway into the crosswalk—where they're plenty visible to drivers—before cars are allowed to go straight or make turns (including the ultra-dangerous left)."
Cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle have all been experimenting with LPIs as part of their Vision Zero platforms. But as we've seen, New York City has achieved the best outcomes so far. NYC boasts 2,483 LPIs, and "a 2016 study of 104 intersections by the NYC Department of Transportation found that pedestrian and bike fatalities and severe injuries declined by nearly 40 percent at locations where LPIs have been installed."
Among Vision Zero enhancements, LPIs stand out for their comparatively low costs. According to a New York City DOT spokesperson, Bliss reports, the average cost per crosswalk is just $1,200.
FULL STORY: The Incredibly Cheap Street Fix That Saves Lives
NYC Launches Daylighting Plan
The city will install visibility improvements at over 1,000 intersections to improve traffic safety.
Pittsburgh Excels at Low-Cost, Quick-Build Traffic Calming
The city’s traffic calming initiative has led to a 6 percent average reduction in speeds on corridors with recent interventions.
San Francisco Implements ‘Daylighting’ at Intersections
Vehicles are prohibited from parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk as part of the city’s Vision Zero efforts to eliminate traffic deaths and make roads safer.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
In These Cities, Most New Housing is Under 441 Square Feet
With loosened restrictions on “micro-housing,” tiny units now make up as much as 66% of newly constructed housing.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)