Slower Signal Timing:  At intersections without pedestrian signals, timing should be implemented such that the sum of the minimum green and clearance times is no less than the minimum time required for pedestrians to traverse a crossing at four feet per second.  With or without the presence of pedestrian signals, pedestrian timings may be adjusted for slower walking rates of 2.5 to 3.5 feet per second, such as for young children, disabled, or elderly pedestrians. 

Leading Pedestrian Phases:  To minimize conflicts between pedestrians and motorists, traffic signals may be programmed for leading pedestrian phases, which provide pedestrians with a few seconds of lead time prior to the onset of the associated vehicle phase.  The lead time allows pedestrians to be in the crosswalk when the green interval for the associated vehicle phase begins, making them more visible to motorists. 

Exclusive Pedestrian Phases:  At locations with high volumes of pedestrians, traffic signals may be programmed for an exclusive pedestrian phase (also known as an all-pedestrian phase, pedestrian scramble, or scramble phase), which provides an all-red indication to all vehicular traffic.  In such cases, pedestrians may be allowed to cross the intersection diagonally and right turns on red may have to be restricted during the scramble phase.

• All measures would tend to increase the signal cycle length, thereby potentially increasing delays to pedestrians waiting to cross the street. Pedestrians may tend to start crossing before the WALK interval begins.
• For leading pedestrian phases, there may be no traffic surges to audibly mark the beginning of the crossing interval, so accessible pedestrian signals may have to be installed to provide crossing cues for visually impaired pedestrians, thereby increasing the cost of this treatment.
• For all-pedestrian phases, both motorists and pedestrians may initially be confused by the atypical signal operation

Retting, R., J. Van Houten, C. Farmer, and R. Van Houten. Field Evaluation of a Leading Pedestrian Phase at Three Urban Intersections. Washington, DC: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, April 1997.

Fleck, J. Pedestrian Head Start Signal Timing. Presented at ITE District 6 Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 2000.

Hannan, T.J. Solving Pedestrian Conflicts with Special Signal Phasing. In 1987 Compendium of Technical Papers, 146-149. Washington, DC: ITE, 1987.

Zegeer, C.V., Opiela, K.S., and Cynechi, M.J., Pedestrian Signalization Alternatives [Final Report No. FHWA/RD-83/102], Federal Highway Administration, (July 1985).