Traffic Signals
Traffic signals are installed at busy intersections to regulate how vehicles and pedestrians navigate the intersection. In addition to standard traffic signals, all but a very few intersections in Arlington have pedestrian signals.
Pedestrian Signals 101
The basic operation of a pedestrian traffic signal includes three types of indicators.
- A solid walking person means "start crossing and watch for vehicles."
- A flashing hand means "don't start crossing and finish crossing if you have started;" a steady hand means "don't cross."
Fortunately, these signal types are so widely used that most pedestrians are fully able to interpret them. Accurate interpretation of pedestrian signals is great, but if everyone who understood them acted accordingly, there would be a lot fewer pedestrian crashes!
Pedestrian push buttons are installed at many intersections to allow the pedestrian to call up the walk signal. These are mainly installed on crosswalks across main roads. Pushing the button does two things. It notifies the computerized signal controller at that intersection that a pedestrian is waiting to cross, which shortens the green light for traffic obstructing the pedestrian's path. It also ensures that the full "walk" and flashing "don't walk" times occur, allowing the pedestrian sufficient time to cross the street. All pedestrian push buttons in the County are functioning buttons. They are not just there for show, so please use them! If you believe that a button is not working properly, please call 703-228-0650 with the intersection and corner that the button is located.
Arlington is in the process of installing new, larger pedestrian push buttons. These larger buttons will be installed on all new signals, and with all intersection signal upgrades.
Countdown signals, like the ones pictured below, are installed in high-volume pedestrian areas for pedestrians crossing the main road. Some intersections, such as ones with traffic traveling on more than two approaches, may have countdown signals on all crosswalks.
The County installs countdown signals on approximately 15 intersections each year. Additional countdown signals are also installed as part of intersection traffic signal upgrades and with new traffic signal installations. Developers also install countdown signals as part of some developments. Countdown signals cost approximately $5500 per intersection. The number shown indicates the number of seconds left before the signal changes and traffic will enter the intersection.
Audible signals are installed at the request of citizens. These signals are intended to help people with visual impairments to cross streets more safely. Staff helps determine exactly where the signals should be placed. The sound is generated by a small box inserted into the pedestrian signal. The cost for this is minimal. As technology has changed, the County has installed different audible signals, so there is not a standard sound at this time. However, Arlington is coordinating with other jurisdictions in Northern Virginia to install audible signals that are consistent throughout the region. The latest technology allows the volume of the sound to change, becoming louder if background noise is high and becoming quieter if background noise is low.
As of January, 2005, Lee Highway is now much easier to cross, thanks to the installation of 24 pedestrian countdown signals between Veitch Street and Spout Run Parkway. More information.
Citizen requests for new pedestrian signals.
There isn't really a process for Arlington citizens to request brand-new pedestrian signals, since all but five County intersections with traffic signals have pedestrian signals for crossing in at least one direction. These last five will have pedestrian signals in the near term. Once these pedestrian signals are installed, every intersection in the County which has a traffic signal will also have pedestrian signals. How many jurisdictions can make that claim?
Citizens can request audible signals by calling 703-228-3575.
