When the light changes to green, drivers who intend to turn right or left are often focused on finding a gap in vehicle traffic to take advantage of. Pedestrians in the crosswalk are often not seen and a collision is the result. Leading pedestrian intervals are a simple walk light timing change that can help prevent these incidents.
What are Leading Pedestrian Intervals?
Instead of turning the white pedestrian light on at the same time as the green light for traffic, leading pedestrian intervals (LPI) give the pedestrian a 3 to 7 second head start. This puts them out into the intersection before drivers start to move, making them more visible.
Depending on the length of the crosswalk, it is possible for some pedestrians to cross out of the lane turning drivers want to use.
The LPI occurs at a time when drivers are waiting instead of concentrating on the start of their turning movement and cognitive demand is light.
Crashes Involving Pedestrians
According to ICBC there are an average of 53 pedestrian deaths and 2,266 injuries each year. 79% of them happen at intersections and one of the top contributing factors is drivers who don't yield the right of way.
Adding an interval to traffic light timing can be done with a programming adjustment and studies conducted by the University of BC show that this can reduce the crash risk by up to 60%.
Video
This video from the New Jersey Department of Transportation Technology Transfer Program explains the benefits of implementing an LPI:
Local Information
ICBC works with municipalities to add an LPI at intersections where there is a higher number of pedestrian collisions.
Implementing this is part of the City of Surrey's Vision Zero program, Vancouver is piloting this at Davie and Burrard, and the District of Saanich has many examples as they started the change there in 2019.
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