Skip to Content
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Streetsblog Los Angeles home
Log In
Streetsblog USA

Engineers to Pedestrians: No ‘Walk’ Signs for You!

Photo: Michael Smith

Pedestrians won't get "Walk" signals at thousands of intersections thanks to a decision by a powerful group of engineers in Washington on Thursday.

The National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices — which establishes rules for road signs, signals and markings — opted to not require the "signal heads" for pedestrians — signs that display the "walk" or "don't walk" signal — at every intersection, despite pressure from an insurgent group of progressive engineers.

"Engineers may continue to not install pedestrian signal heads ... this is our transportation profession," engineering consultant Bill Schultheiss, one of the insurgents, tweeted after the ruling.

The NCUTCD's decision comes at a time when pedestrian deaths are on the rise. About 6,000 people were killed while walking last year, a nearly 50-percent increase over the last five years.

"The committee not passing requirement to provide pedestrian signal when installing new traffic signal is very disappointing," Dongho Chang, Seattle's lead traffic engineer and one of the engineers who pushed for the change, told Streetsblog in an email. "We’ll continue to work with members that have concerns to change their perspectives."

If the changes would have been approved they would have become part of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, which is used as a guideline on every road project in America. NCUTCD said it is not sure when the next edition of the manual will be published.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Los Angeles

July 2024 Metro Board Meeting: Ridership Up, Security Measures, LAX, and More

LAX station will open this November. Metro will expand security measures, from TAP-to-Exit to turnstile hardening. Plus more Metro action!

July 25, 2024

Covina to Begin Construction on Recreation Village

The new facility will be next to the Metrolink station and include a variety of opportunities for fitness and amusement

July 25, 2024

Incomplete Streets Part 2: in OC Caltrans Ignores Caltrans Policy on Bike and Pedestrian Needs

Caltrans has a policy requiring Complete Streets in its projects, but Caltrans Districts routinely ignore it

July 24, 2024
See all posts