Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC): Evaluating Leading Pedestrian Intervals and Curb Extensions Through Conflict Analysis (Virtual)

Webinar: Evaluating Leading Pedestrian Intervals and Curb Extensions Through Conflict Analysis
Date: April 10, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm PT
Cost: Free 
Continuing Education Credits: 1 PDH credit, 1 AICP CM credit
Organization: Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC) 

Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) and curb extensions are widely used street design strategies intended to improve pedestrian safety at signalized intersections. However, while LPIs have a well-documented crash reduction record, fewer studies have examined how these treatments influence near-miss interactions or how geometric changes like curb extensions interact with signal timing strategies.

This seminar presents findings from a Master’s thesis that evaluated the safety impacts of LPIs and curb extensions using detailed conflict data collected at signalized intersections in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. Approximately 600 hours of video were manually reviewed to identify pedestrian crossings, vehicle movements, and conflict events using Post Encroachment Time (PET) and turning-speed thresholds. The analysis combined descriptive statistics, statistical tests, and regression modeling to understand both conflict frequency and severity.

Results show that LPIs are consistently associated with lower pedestrian–vehicle conflict frequency, while intersections with both LPIs and curb extensions generally exhibited lower proportions of high-severity conflicts. The presentation will discuss the methodology, key findings, and practical implications for agencies considering pedestrian safety treatments.