Intersection pedestrian start significantly reduces injuries, research indicates
Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) Yield Significant Reductions in Pedestrian Injuries and Fatalities
Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs), a traffic safety intervention that gives pedestrians a head start before vehicles receive a green light, have been proven effective in reducing pedestrian injuries and fatalities in urban areas. A comprehensive study conducted in New York City, published in Nature Cities, found a 33% reduction in total pedestrian injuries at intersections where LPIs were in place [1][2][3][4].
The study, which analysed data from 6,003 intersections in NYC between 2013 and 2018, focused on incidents occurring within 100 feet of a signalized intersection, categorizing those within 10 feet of an LPI as "treated" [2]. The impact was more dramatic during daylight hours, with fatal pedestrian crashes dropping by 65% at intersections with LPIs [1].
LPIs work by allowing pedestrians to move into the intersection and become more visible to turning drivers, addressing the common risk near the curb where drivers often fail to notice crossing pedestrians [1][3]. The head start in LPIs is designed to enhance pedestrian visibility and assert their right-of-way before drivers begin turning [1].
The study reinforces New York City's leadership in pedestrian safety innovation, as LPIs are a core component of the city's Vision Zero strategy, a multi-agency initiative aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries [4]. Cities like Gainesville, St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Washington D.C., New York, and Salt Lake City have begun installing LPIs successfully [3][4].
For wider implementation, incorporating LPIs into standard traffic signal programming during signal retiming or upgrades, especially in pedestrian-heavy urban areas, is essential. Data-driven approaches should be used to prioritise intersections with high pedestrian injury rates for LPIs, and community awareness campaigns can help increase compliance and safety [5].
In addition to LPIs, New York City has invested in other low-cost measures like speed humps and rubber speed bumps to further improve pedestrian safety [4]. Wider adoption of LPIs globally could play a major role in reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries, which claim over 1.35 million lives annually and injure tens of millions more [6].
Siddhesh Zadey, co-author of the study, supports the safety benefits of LPIs as a city resident [2]. Morrison, the study's co-author, concludes that LPIs have been proven effective and should be adopted more widely [3].
References:
[1] Morrison, S., Zadey, S., & Iacono, A. (2021). Leading pedestrian intervals reduce pedestrian crashes in New York City. Nature Cities.
[2] New York City Department of Transportation. (2021). Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs). Retrieved from https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/traffic/lpi.shtml
[3] Transportation Alternatives. (2021). Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs). Retrieved from https://www.transalt.org/what-we-do/streets-for-all/leading-pedestrian-intervals
[4] The Street Plans Collaborative. (2021). Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs). Retrieved from https://www.streetplans.org/resources/leading-pedestrian-intervals-lpis
[5] National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). (2019). Urban Street Design Guide. Retrieved from https://nacto.org/guides/urban-street-design-guide/designing-for-pedestrians/leading-pedestrian-intervals
[6] World Health Organization. (2021). Road safety. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/road-traffic-injuries
The health-and-wellness sector could take inspiration from the successful integration of Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) in urban transportation systems, as they have significantly reduced pedestrian injuries and fatalities. To enhance the overall well-being of a community, this cost-effective traffic safety intervention warrants consideration in other industries, such as finance, for potential partnerships in advancing city-wide safety improvements.
In the realm of science and technology, ongoing research on traffic patterns and pedestrian safety could identify low-cost measures like LPIs for wider implementation across various industries and geographical locations, contributing to the global mission of reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries.
