October 10, 2022

In an effort to reduce the number of pedestrians hit by cars, a new research project conducted by the state Department of Transportation and the University of Connecticut is studying the type of crossing signals at some intersections.

In the study, side street crossing signals were switched to concurrent signals, which allow pedestrians to cross the main road while drivers traveling in the same direction have a green light. Side street greens mean pedestrians can cross a major road while cars on that street have a red light, but cars on a smaller side street have a green light.

UConn Transportation and Urban Engineering Professor John N. Ivan leads the project with the goal of determining whether concurrent signals are safer than exclusive signaling, which halts traffic from all directions to allow pedestrians to cross.

The study's observation period began in July and is expected to conclude at the end of October. Ivan said he hopes to prepare a draft of the study report in about March and complete a final report by June.

You can read the full article on CTInsider.