Starting the week of July 8, 2024, the City of Salem will begin retiming traffic signals in downtown Salem to improve safety for pedestrians. This safety enhancement, called Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) promotes safe walking conditions and reduces the potential for dangerous accidents between pedestrians and vehicles.

Which signals will be changed? Crosswalk signal timing changes will be made to intersections in the downtown core from Division Street to Trade Street, north to south, and from Commercial Street to Cottage Street, west to east. 

• Phase One: Begins on July 8, starting at Chemeketa Street and moving south, incorporating changes on Chemeketa, Court, State, Ferry, and Trade Streets.
• Phase Two: Begins in September, after the completion of phase one at Center Street and moves north, including changes on Center, Marion, Union, and Division Streets.

How it works: Leading pedestrian interval (LPI) provides a WALK indication for pedestrians 3 seconds before the adjacent vehicles get a green light. 

Why it works: By allowing a 3-second head start, it allows pedestrians to establish themselves in the intersection, making them more visible to turning cars before a traffic signal turns green. According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials, LPIs have been shown to reduce pedestrian-vehicle collisions by as much as 60%, and U.S. Federal Highway Administration studies have shown a 13% decrease in pedestrian and vehicle collisions using this practice.

Safety Reminders:

• For Motorists: Always watch for pedestrians and follow Oregon crosswalk laws.
• For Pedestrians: Stay visible and aware of your surroundings, even when you have the right-of-way.

Salem motorists should watch for pedestrians and understand and observe Oregon crosswalk laws. Pedestrians are cautioned and aware of their surroundings even when they have the right-of-way. The following link provides some guidance and references from the Oregon Revised Statutes regarding pedestrian laws. https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Safety/Documents/OregonCrosswalkLawsENG.pdf

Join us in helping make Salem’s downtown even safer.