Countdown signals alert pedestrians that the traffic signal is about to change to discourage unsafe street crossing practices. “This is one of the multiple steps we are taking to promote pedestrian safety in Northern Virginia,” said Hari Sripathi, VDOT traffic engineer in the Northern Virginia District.

VDOT’s pedestrian countdown signal program is underway in Fairfax County and will eventually include upgrades in Loudoun and Prince William counties. All the pedestrian crosswalks in Fairfax County are scheduled to be completed by September 2008. VDOT crews are currently in the Reston area putting the finishing touches on pedestrian countdown signals at 18 intersections, before moving on to Backlick Road in Springfield and Route 29 in Fairfax.

This project has been ongoing for the past year, concentrating on areas around shopping centers, metro stations and schools. Since January, 220 pedestrian signals have been updated. VDOT is working with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation on this effort.

##

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.