Comment from University of Michigan's Science, Technology, and Public Policy program (STPP)
University of Michigan's Science, Technology, and Public Policy program (STPP)SupportAdvocacy
Summary: Nia Knox, representing the nonprofit Program to Educate All Cyclists (PEAC), argues that late-night flash (LNF) traffic signals create significant safety and accessibility barriers for pedestrians, particularly those with cognitive disabilities. The organization supports the proposed action of maintaining consistent daytime signal operations or providing pedestrian push buttons to override LNF mode.
Pedestrians rely on crosswalks to gauge whether a road crossing is reasonably safe. In municipalities that choose to enable it, traffic signals enter late-night flash (LNF) mode when traffic volume is sufficiently low. Not only do late-night flash operations suspend the normal crosswalk signaling cycle, but the lack of a yield requirement for drivers on the major road makes crossing difficult for pedestrians, especially people with cognitive disabilities. The Program to Educate All Cyclicsts (PEAC) is working to improve the accessibility of commonly used streets by educating decision makers for future policy action. By ensuring that streets are cognitively accessible, our communities remain navigable for everyone.