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What is it?

A leading pedestrian interval (LPI) gives people walking a head start across the street. The walk sign comes on 3-7 seconds before the green light for cars. Walkers can be seen in the crosswalk before a driver tries to turn left or right. Drivers have to wait just a few more seconds!

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Benefits

• People walking are seen by drivers
• Drivers are more likely to slow down and stop to let people walk across the street
• Safer for walkers who need more time to cross
• Crashes go down by 13% when a crossing is changed to give pedestrians a head start

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Backstory

When I lived in Austin, I frequently crossed the large state-owned highway that I lived on (South Lamar). One crossing in particular was extremely sketchy, because the walk sign came on at the same time as the left turning light for the cars. A friend suggested that I log a 311 request to get a “leading pedestrian interval” (LPI) at this location, and I loved the result! I made a TikTok video documenting it. Since I learned about LPIs, I am an advocate for them everywhere. They can often be implemented without any new infrastructure, making them essentially free (it only requires a technician to change the light timing). Sometimes, an intersection is too old to implement an LPI. If there are no “walk/don’t walk” pedestrian signs, the intersection will not be viable for this change. They do not require a pedestrian beg button to be implemented, though.

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How to Request One

The intersection must have traffic lights with pedestrian signals (walk/don’t walk) in order to implement an LPI. Email the street crossing to engineering@memphistn.gov and tell them your story and request!

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Examples

Show Poplar & Tucker

This is an example of an intersection that had an LPI but was deprogrammed for some reason.This can happen if there is a power outage, or the light is re-programmed for another reason. It’s up to us to identify and report whenever an existing LPI is de-programmed.This LPI was implemented after the pedestrian death of Memphis art student Kelcie Ashmore (Source - Action News 5).

Show N Parkway & McLean

Response - Aug 14, 2025Followup - Feb 24, 2026Response - Feb 24, 2026Followup - March 30, 2026Response - March 30, 2026Followup - March 30, 2026Response - March 30, 2026Final Reply - April 7, 2026It took 8 months from the time of request to the time of implementation to get this LPI installed. It was up to me to set reminders based on the estimated time to complete the request. City engineering was very responsive and kind in dealing with my followups, but it appeared that there was a disconnect with the team on the ground doing the implementation. It’s important to be kind and patient, yet persistent, in these requests!

Show Poplar & Cooper

Response:This was quickly re-implemented as an LPI. Again, it is important to be aware of where LPIs are implemented so that we can monitor and report them.

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Social Media Content

• March 26, 2023: My Austin, TX LPI TikTok Video at S Lamar & Broken Spoke (4K views)
• May 22, 2026: Instagram photo post — “How I made my local crossing guard’s life easier & safer (and you can too!)” (164K views)

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Memphis Locations

Downtown Memphis has LPIs implemented on many intersections. Otherwise, they are sparsely located in Memphis. I have a document listing 43 LPI locations throughout the city. If you need it for any reason, email me at kelsey@memphisurbanism.com.

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Case Studies

• Austin: In the summer of 2024, Austin proactively installed over 640 LPIs throughout the city to increase safety for pedestrians. (Source — Austin Mobility newsletter)
• Nashville: Nashville is currently working on implementing LPIs at 336 intersections across their city. (Source — Nashville govt)

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Media Coverage

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Resources

USDOT Federal Highway Administration Leading Pedestrian Interval Countermeasure Documentation

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The Guide

If you’d like a 1-pager guide on how to implement an LPI, please use this link to download it, print, and share!