Austin Transportation to give pedestrians head start at some downtown crosswalks

The system, Leading Pedestrian Intervals or LPIs, gives pedestrians five to seven seconds of dedicated time to begin crossing an intersection before drivers get a green light.

AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Transportation Department is giving pedestrians a head start at 110 downtown intersections with the hope of improving safety at crosswalks.

The system, Leading Pedestrian Intervals or LPIs, gives pedestrians five to seven seconds of dedicated time to begin crossing an intersection before drivers get a green light.

Every intersection within the area bordered by 15th Street, North Lamar Boulevard, West Cesar Chavez Street and I-35 will feature an LPI for at least one pedestrian crossing.

City staff selected downtown for the LPI expansion because more driver-pedestrian crashes have happened there.

Putting in LPIs in downtown Austin supports Vision Zero, the city's goal to achieve zero traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries on Austin roadways.