The City of Yakima recently completed a federally funded project providing pedestrian safety improvements at multiple intersections by installing new signal controllers and conflict monitors allowing signal timing adjustments to increase pedestrian safety.  

The signal timing adjustment is called Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI). The Federal Highway Administration notes that LPI adjustments will:

• Allow a pedestrian to establish a presence in the crosswalk before vehicles are given a green light 

• Reduce potential conflicts between pedestrians and turning vehicles 

• Enhance safety for slower moving pedestrians 

Here’s how it works: After a pedestrian pushes the crosswalk button at these intersections, signal lights for all traffic will remain red for typically three to seven seconds when pedestrians first receive the signal to cross. This gives pedestrians a headstart to enter the crosswalk before vehicles receive a green light in the parallel direction of travel. This allows better visibility of pedestrians, as they will have entered the crosswalk and be further in drivers’ field of vision. 

The following intersections are upgraded, giving pedestrians a headstart in the crosswalk: 

• W Lincoln Ave and N 5th Ave 

• S 5th Ave and W Walnut St 

• E MLK Jr Blvd and N 1st St 

• E Lincoln Ave and N 1st St 

• S 1st St and E Walnut Ave 

• S 32nd Ave and W Nob Hill Blvd 

• W Nob Hill Blvd and S 24th Ave 

• N 40th Ave and River Rd/Powerhouse Rd 

• W Mead Ave and S 3rd Ave 

• E Walnut St and S 6th St 

• S 3rd St and Yakima Ave 

• S 8th St and Yakima Ave 

• S 3rd Ave and Walnut St 

For more information about LPIs, click Leading Pedestrian Interval | FHWA 

For more about the City’s project, contact City Engineer Robert Washabaugh at 509-576-6601.