Streetfilms: What’s an LPI?

A leading pedestrian interval, or LPI, lights up the pedestrian signal a few seconds before vehicular traffic gets the green. This gives pedestrians
a head start into the intersection and makes it less likely that they will be hit by vehicles turning into the crosswalk. LPI’s are also known by their sassier nickname, Pedestrian Head Start. But in my view the best variation on what LPI stands for comes from Christine Berthet of the Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood Association, who proposes "Life Preserving Interval."

Transportation Alternatives has recently begun a push to make these more common in New York City. Here’s hoping our video (featuring some nice visuals from TOPP’s own Carly Clark) can help argue the case.

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Making Safer Intersections the Rule, Not the Exception

By Ben Fried |
New York City drivers often fail to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. More LPIs would help reinforce the rule. When DOT installed a leading pedestrian interval, or LPI, by a Lincoln Tunnel exit on 34th Street last month, nearby residents were thrilled. Cars turning onto 34th from Dyer Avenue — a tunnel off-ramp — […]

DOT Expanding Use of “Life Preserving Intervals,” With More to Come

By Brad Aaron |
One more tidbit from last Friday’s Regional Plan Association shindig: During the Q&A session at the “Cars vs. Bikes vs. Pedestrians” panel (a title that seemed unnecessarily provocative to moderator Trent Lethco, RPA board member and transportation consultant with engineering firm Arup, until he concluded that it “reflects realities”), I asked about leading pedestrian intervals. […]
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Change a Traffic Signal, Save a Life

By Angie Schmitt |
In San Rafael, California, a woman is dead and a man is in critical condition after a dump truck driver, who claimed not to see them as they were crossing the street, turned left and ran them over in the crosswalk last week. It’s just one of countless similar tragedies playing out in the U.S. In […]