"Pedestrian Priority Works" Changwon City Expands Pedestrian Priority Start Signal (LPI) to 100 Locations

A New Concept Traffic Signal Method to Prevent Conflicts Between Vehicles and Pedestrians

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] Changwon City, Gyeongnam Province, decided to expand the improved 'Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI)' which confirmed its effectiveness and safety through a pilot operation last September. This year, the expansion will cover 100 intersections.

The 'Leading Pedestrian Interval' technique starts the pedestrian crossing signal 3 to 7 seconds earlier than the straight vehicle signal at intersections.

This is a new traffic signal method that prevents conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians and is currently operated in some cities in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Since last September, the city has been operating the 'Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI)' at five intersections including City Hall Intersection.

As a result of the operation, vehicle approach speed decreased by 4.08 km/h, the rate of vehicles violating pedestrian signals dropped by 10%, and the initial pedestrian crossing volume increased by 26 people, significantly improving pedestrian safety.

Accordingly, the city plans to expand LPI operation to 100 locations this year (30 locations per quarter).

Currently, LPI has been expanded and is operating at 13 intersections in Uichang-gu and Seongsan-gu districts, with plans to add 17 more locations by the end of this month.

Additionally, various traffic safety measures are being promoted, such as increasing the vehicle stop line distance in front of crosswalks from 2~3m to 5m, focusing on areas with frequent traffic accidents.

An official from the province stated, "We will continue to work with the police station to expand LPI where necessary to improve the pedestrian environment from 'vehicle-centered to pedestrian-centered.' We will do our best to improve traffic safety indices and prevent traffic accidents through measures such as late-night stepwise signal coordination and all-red signal operation."

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