City Begins Re-timing of More Than 70 Traffic Signals

The Department of Public Works, in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has started retiming 71 traffic signals on the city’s south side. When the project is completed in April it will provide coordinated traffic signal timings to prioritize pedestrian safety and move traffic more safely and efficiently, while allowing for fewer stops between intersections.   

The project is in alignment with Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s announcement last October of the city’s participation in the Vision Zero initiative to reduce crashes that may cause serious injuries and deaths through better traffic signal timings. Additional benefits of new timing plans include decreased wear on motor vehicles as well as improved gas mileage by reducing the number of stops and starts required. There also will be significant environmental benefits through the reduction of vehicle emissions such as carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides and volatile organic compounds. 

The City is leveraging this timing project as part of an overall $3.5 million initiative to improve pedestrian safety through funding from the FWHA and VDOT's Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). It is part of an upcoming multi-pronged initiative to deploy low cost systemic pedestrian safety improvements at signalized intersections through 2020. These improvements include high visibility crosswalks, accessible ramps, pedestrian countdown signals and improved signal timings. These improvements will improve pedestrian safety on our major arterials citywide at more than 230 intersections.  

Due to the changes in some traffic signal sequences, motorists are urged to exercise due diligence as they become accustomed to the changes.