Countdown to Pedestrian Crossing Signals

Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Kahn announced a plan to install as many as 1,500 countdown signals at busy intersections citywide, including many in Brooklyn.

In an announcement in Downtown Brooklyn on Monday, Sadik-Kahn said major corridors, like Flatbush and Atlantic avenues, were two-thirds more deadly for pedestrians than smaller, local streets. For that reason, most of the countdown signals will be installed on those major roads, she said. See the map in the photo section for all the corridors across the city receiving pedestrian countdown signals.

Appearing at Flatbush Avenue and Fulton Street with Councilmember Leticia James and Councilmember Steve Levin, Sadik-Kahn said 32 pedestrian crashes had occurred at that intersection between 2005 and 2009.

According to a pilot study conducted by DOT, countdown signals are "effective at helping pedestrians avoid getting caught in the middle of a crosswalk."

In Cobble Hill, a countdown signal will be installed at Court Street and Atlantic Avenue, and in Boerum Hill, at Boerum Place and Livingston Street. 

The countdown signals are a key part of Councilmember Levin's , which intends to calm traffic all over the neighborhood.

"I am thrilled the Department of Transportation is installing pedestrian countdown signals," said Levin in a statement. "I have studied the positive effects on pedestrian countdown signals and I know this busy intersection will benefit from this change."

Levin added that he hopes DOT will install even more signals, and consider Leading Pedestrian Intervals, lower speed limits and other safety measures the Boerum Hill Traffic Task Force belives are crucial.

All 1,500 signals will be installed by this time next year, said Sadik-Kahn. Funding is coming from the Federal Highway Funding, she added.

The installation is one part of the Pedestrian Safety Study and Action Plan, announced last year by the DOT. Other steps in the plan include testing 20 mph zones in some city neighborhoods.

For now, the pedestrian countdown signals are intended to equip pedestrians with more information.

"We've heard people like the information to make an informed decision," said Sadik-Kahn.