Arlington County Government: Arlington To Adjust Pedestrian Signal Phase In Urban Corridors

Press release from the Arlington County Government:

August 18, 2021

This measure was enacted in 2020 in response to low traffic volumes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to minimize the need to press push buttons to trigger the pedestrian phase at a signal. This initiative was accompanied by “Do Not Push” signage posted at various intersections.

With school starting at the end of August, motor traffic will increase throughout the region. To best respond to this situation and improve walkway safety, the County has identified intersections, mostly vehicular traffic corridors where pedestrian activities are less frequent, that will return to their pre-pandemic settings after Labor Day.

At major Metro corridors, including Rosslyn-Ballston and Crystal City where pedestrian activity level is high, the pedestrian signals will remain auto-triggered in every cycle.

Ninety-three intersections had their settings adjusted for the pandemic and will be returned to their pre-pandemic condition over several weeks. County crews will attend to each intersection, remove signage and restore the signals’ original settings.

This press release was produced by the Arlington County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.