Leading Pedestrian Intervals in Virginia

[lordofthemark]

So, a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) is when the walk signal turns red before the green light for traffic in the same direction. The idea being to give crossing pedestrians an early move for visibility, and in some places just to give them enough time to get across the street.

In the District of Columbia it is legal for people on bikes to cross on an LPI signal, even against a red. And yes, even when they are taking the general travel lane (not sure about if they are in the general travel lane and are not first in line, and would need to filter around to utilize the LPI – I have never done that)

We are now getting LPIs in Virginia. One has been implemented in the City of Alexandria, at the intersection of Braddock and Commonwealth. I believe I have seen reference to one coming in Arlington.

I do not know if Va law will allow a person on a bike to proceed on one (when not dismounted.) I assume not, but was wondering if anyone here knows for sure.

Topic

[Bilsko]

@lordofthemark 128118 wrote:

So, a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) is when the walk signal turns red before the green light for traffic in the same direction.

LPI is when walk signal turns *white* before the green… no?

[KLizotte]

There is already an LPI now at the Intersection of Doom.

[Tim Kelley]

@KLizotte 128129 wrote:

There is already an LPI now at the Intersection of Doom.

Shhh. Don’t tell anyone.

[dasgeh]

Yes, we have them in Arlington – Lynn/Lee (the intersection of doom) being the most recognizable to most here. People on bikes or walking in a crosswalk (no need to dismount) may follow the LPI. In Virginia, I don’t know of any legal justification for people on bikes in the travel lane being allowed to follow the LPI.

And in DC, filtering is legal, and following the LPI from the main travel lane is legal, so if a person on a bike pulls up to an intersection, filters around a stopped car, then goes with the LPI, that should be legal as well. Of course, LPIs are not long, so if practically, if you pull up behind a car while the LPI is on, I would advise against filtering, because the car may get green and go while you’re beside it.

[KLizotte]

This is the thing that drives me nutty about our state by state system when it comes to road laws. I knew cyclists were given permission to use the LPI recently but I thought it was for VA, DC and MD (as is the case for the three foot law). Because we have three jurisdictions (+ the feds) it is a royal pain to try and remember what I’m allowed to do where. I often pass thru all three in a single day. And think of what it must be like for ignorant tourists coming from other states where their laws may be different! This alphabet soup of rules just confuses and endangers everyone.

Not sure how to fix it; just needed to get that off my chest.

[lordofthemark]

@Bilsko 128119 wrote:

LPI is when walk signal turns *white* before the green… no?

I think there is word for typing the exact opposite of what one means, isn’t there?

[KWL]

There is a leading pedestrian signal in Crystal City where 27th becomes South Potomac Avenue at Crystal Drive. I ride with it all the time. I could be a scofflaw.

[DismalScientist]

@dasgeh 128131 wrote:

And in DC, filtering is legal, and following the LPI from the main travel lane is legal, so if a person on a bike pulls up to an intersection, filters around a stopped car, then goes with the LPI, that should be legal as well. Of course, LPIs are not long, so if practically, if you pull up behind a car while the LPI is on, I would advise against filtering, because the car may get green and go while you’re beside it.

I love how we hate to be shoaled by bikes and yet we change the law to encourage cyclists to shoal cars.:rolleyes:

[ShawnoftheDread]

@DismalScientist 128142 wrote:

I love how we hate to be shoaled by bikes and yet we change the law to encourage cyclists to shoal cars.:rolleyes:

Well yeah. What part of War on Cars don’t you understand?

[lordofthemark]

@DismalScientist 128142 wrote:

I love how we hate to be shoaled by bikes and yet we change the law to encourage cyclists to shoal cars.:rolleyes:

I use the LPIS on the Eye Street bike lanes, where I am in a seperate lane from cars. I also them at NJ and M SE, where few cars proceed north, and I am turning on Eye anyway. And I do not filter in those instances. Filtering so that the car you pass will just have to pass you is just as bad as shoaling a cyclist, I think. But there are lots of places to filter where one is approaching seg infra, or a turn to a quiet street, where that is not the case

[dasgeh]

@DismalScientist 128142 wrote:

I love how we hate to be shoaled by bikes and yet we change the law to encourage cyclists to shoal cars.:rolleyes:

Actually, no. Honestly, I don’t care about being shoaled by bikes unless those bikes end up taking up space they shouldn’t — e.g. the bikes that shoal then block the crosswalk, or worse, pull into the intersection. It’s kinda annoying being shoaled by those slower than you, but most of the time, it’s easy enough to pass them.

Filtering past cars is an issue of both optimization of infrastructure (more people get through an intersection) and safety. Besides, cars that get passed by filtering bikes almost always end up getting caught at the next light regardless (i.e. the filtering bike didn’t cost them any time, just the speed before which they had to stop again) or can pass the bikes that filtered soon enough (because it’s wide enough to pass or the bikes turn off to other infra).

[Author]

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