Traffic Signals Changing Fast

We will check the timing for the traffic and pedestrian signals at this intersection.

We will check the timing for the traffic and pedestrian signals at this intersection.

Traffic signal timing for pedestrians at Sip Ave. & Bergen Ave. at Journal Square For a basic introduction to pedestrian signal timing, download this NYSAMPO fact sheet: Timing Traffic Signals to Accommodate Pedestrians Section 4E.06 (Pedestrian Intervals and Signal Phases) of the 2009 federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) applies here. It was adopted in NJ in 2009. The average walking speed in the MUTCD is 3.5 feet/sec. and the speed for slow walkers is 3.0 feet/sec. For average walkers, the WALK signal only indicates that it is safe to start crossing, and is excluded from the crossing time. The crossing time (Pedestrian Clearance Time, or PCT) for average walkers is the sum of the flashing DON’T WALK and steady DON’T WALK intervals, before conflicting traffic is released. The latter is called the “buffer” interval. A steady UPRAISED HAND must be displayed for at least 3 seconds before conflicting traffic is released. The crossing time (PCT) for slow walkers is the sum of the WALK, flashing DON’T WALK and steady DON’T WALK (buffer) intervals, before conflicting traffic is released. I have measured the crosswalk lengths at Sip & Bergen but have not analyzed the signal timing yet. Here are the minimum PCTs for Sip Ave. & Bergen Ave. based on curb-to-curb measurements at the center of the crosswalk: North crosswalk 109 feet 31sec. average PCT 36 sec. slow PCT South crosswalk 65 feet 19sec. average PCT 22 sec. slow PCT East crosswalk 76 feet 22sec. average PCT 25 sec. slow PCT West crosswalk 44 feet 13sec. average PCT 15 sec. slow PCT AVERAGE walker PCT = DON’T WALK + steady DON’T WALK (minimum 3 sec.) intervals. SLOW walker PCT = WALK + DON’T WALK + steady DON’T WALK (minimum 3 sec.) intervals. If the sum of the interval times for all four crosswalks do not equal or exceed ALL of the times listed above, then the intersection does NOT comply with the 2009 MUTCD for average AND slow walkers. This can be determined by anyone with a stop watch.

Correction to my previous post: AVERAGE walker PCT = flashing DON’T WALK + steady DON’T WALK (minimum 3 sec.) intervals. SLOW walker PCT = WALK + flashing DON’T WALK + steady DON’T WALK (minimum 3 sec.) intervals.

I agree, just noticed the same thing today. Not safe. Why are so many ped crossings in Journal Square so incredibly unsafe?!

The traffic signal cycle length at this intersection is 100 seconds, or 1:40 minutes. I have not finished analyzing the signal timing yet, but I have discovered one major defect: the north crosswalk is the longest, but the crossing time (Pedestrian Clearance Time, or PCT) is unnecessarily shortened. Westbound traffic on Sip has a dedicated left turn signal onto Bergen, as well as signals for straight and right-turning traffic. The straight and right-turning traffic goes first, along with pedestrians in the north and south crosswalks. A dedicated left turn signal requires a clear crosswalk, so it doesn't turn green until after the steady DON'T WALK comes up for the south crosswalk. The north and south crosswalk pedestrian signals are evidently wired together. The north crosswalk operates the same as the south crosswalk, so the PCT is the same for both, and the north crosswalk PCT gets short-changed as a result. If the north and south crosswalk pedestrian signals were separated or split, the north crosswalk PCT could be extended to parallel the straight and right-turning traffic. This requires wiring changes in the street as well as a new signal timing plan. Please refer to my previous comment from 17 March 2017 above. Extending the traffic signal cycle length to 120 seconds, or 2:00 minutes at Sip & Bergen, JFK & Bergen, and JFK & Pavonia is the simplest way to insure that all PCTs for average and slow walkers comply with the 2009 MUTCD. All vehicles and pedestrians would have to wait longer for a green or walk signal, but pedestrians would be guaranteed adequate crossing time. The PERCENTAGES of the cycle time for pedestrian crossing and vehicular green would remain substantially the same. The pedestrian pushbuttons at all three intersections should be eliminated so that pedestrians are guaranteed crossing time during every traffic signal cycle.

Curb extensions will be striped at Bergen Avenue and Sip Avenue to shorten the effective crossing distance for pedestrians and to increase visibility of pedestrians at this intersection. Once in stock, we will follow up with the installation of white flexible delineators and planters. That said, we will continue to review the signal timing at this intersection to optimize the crossing times.