The city of Austin is currently working to make crosswalks in the downtown area safer for pedestrians by adding a couple of extra seconds of protection.
Currently, the Austin Transportation Department is working to install more leading pedestrian intervals, or LPIs, at a total of 110 downtown intersections. This will double the current total of LPIs located throughout the city.
LPIs are designed to be automatic and give pedestrians an extra five to seven seconds to walk before cars are given a green light to drive. ATD officials cite a recent Transportation Research Board Study that concludes LPIs are able to reduce the total number of pedestrians struck by drivers by as much as approximately 60%.
The city of Austin reports that LPIs for at least one pedestrian crossing are featured in every intersection within the area bordered by the following:
*15 Street
*North Lamar Boulevard
*West Cesar Chavez Street
*Interstate 35
A Division Manager for Arterial Management was quoted as stating the following in terms of the LPIs:
“We strongly believe more LPIs on the highest-risk traffic corridors will increase safety for everyone. We will regularly assess the LPIs’ performance and make adjustments as needed.”
Meanwhile, a Transportation Safety Officer for ATD was quoted as stating the following in terms of explaining that high frequency of crashes is why the department is adding the LPIs in the area:
“It’s exciting to make progress on something we’ve been working towards for a while. We’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback from people that live and work and play downtown. I think that we’ve got a long way to go, but this is the sort of investment we want to make with positive benefits for low cost of our time and resources.”
Currently, approximately 74% of those who live in Austin commute by driving according to ATD.
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