Leading Pedestrian Intervals at Urban Crosswalks: Effects on Safety for Travelers Who Are Blind.

This article focuses on the impact of leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs)—which give pedestrians a head start before vehicles receive a green light—on the safety and crossing behavior of pedestrians who are blind. Observational studies in an urban environment found that LPIs delay the auditory traffic cues that blind pedestrians rely on to initiate crossing, resulting in 15 to 38% of crossings beginning after the Walk signal ends and 40 to 82% ending after the pedestrian phase has expired. The research highlights that without accessible pedestrian signals (APS)—devices providing nonvisual cues about pedestrian timing—blind pedestrians face increased risks, as LPIs reduce their available crossing time and may lead to unsafe crossing behaviors. The authors recommend that orientation and mobility specialists educate pedestrians about LPIs and advocate for APS installation wherever LPIs are implemented to enhance safety and accessibility.