From a press release:
In order to increase traffic safety, City of Alexandria staff recently installed 17 new Leading Pedestrian Intervals in high crash intersections or corridors as part of the implementation of the City’s Vision Zero Initiative to eliminate traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2028.As part of the Vision Zero Action Plan, one of the Year 1 Engineering Priorities is to install Leading Pedestrian Intervals in at least 10 intersections to improve safety for people walking and driving. Staff identified more than 10 locations where these improvements were warranted and installed 17 new leading pedestrian intervals, along with their respective No Turn on Red restrictions.A Leading Pedestrian Interval is signal timing change that starts the walk signal a few seconds before the green light to give people waiting to cross the street a head start in front of turning vehicles so that drivers can better see people walking and avoid a serious crash. Localities across the country and around the world (including Alexandria) have been implementing this solution for decades. Staff has implemented this in the following locations:
- Route 1 and Gibbon
- Route 1 and Wilkes
- King and Washington
- King and Henry
- King and Patrick
- Wilkes and Washington
- Duke and Henry (both crossings)
- Gibbon and Washington
- Slaters and Washington
- Cambridge and Duke (both crossings)
- N. Quaker and Duke
- Cameron Station and Duke
- Whiting and Edsall
- Slaters and Route 1
- Duke and Holland
City staff analyzed crash data, industry best practices and research, and public input, and formed an interdepartmental collaboration team to develop a set of Year 1 Engineering Priorities. These engineering priorities are intended to improve safety for all modes of travel, focusing on vulnerable road users (e.g. people walking and biking, children, and seniors) first. Crash data showed that during this time between 2011-2016, 445 people walking were involved in crashes, with one in seven crashes resulting in death or serious injury to the person. Turning-movement crashes were also found to be among the most common crash types in Alexandria. Leading Pedestrian Intervals aid in the prevention of turning movement crashes along with No Turn on Red Restrictions.
Alexandria should follow DC's lead and allow cyclists to go through an intersection when the walk light is green. Maybe that's a state thing though.
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