The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure Traffic Management Center is currently working on a signal retiming project to enhance traffic flow and pedestrian safety through signal retiming and implementation of leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs) across 336 intersections.
The project includes new signal timing plans for five corridors and enhanced pedestrian safety through leading pedestrian intervals (LPI) implementation. LPIs have been proven to reduce pedestrian-vehicle crashes at intersections by 13 percent by providing the following benefits:
- Reduced conflicts between pedestrians and turning vehicles.
- Increased compliance by motorists yielding to pedestrians.
- Enhanced protection for pedestrians with slower mobility.
The new signal timing plans will also optimize vehicular efficiency by improving signal coordination. By collecting data movements across various times of the day, NDOT can ensure drivers receive more consecutive green lights along corridors for smoother traffic flow
Project Summary
- Develop new signal timing plans for five corridors: Downtown, Nolensville Pike, Dickerson Pike, Hermitage and Donelson Pike.
- Conduct inventory analysis to identify intersections requiring additional infrastructure for LPI deployment.
- Procure and install required equipment for LPI implementation at targeted intersections.
- Deploy LPIs at targeted intersections.
Downtown Signal Retiming Project
Phase 2
The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) is beginning Phase 2 of the Downtown Signal Retiming Project, building on major safety and efficiency gains from Phase 1. Since introducing leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs), downtown has seen a 20% year‑over‑year reduction in pedestrian crashes, a 34% decrease compared to the three‑year average, and a 16% reduction in total crashes.
Phase 2 will refine signal timing, improve traffic flow, and continue prioritizing safety for everyone traveling downtown. Implementation begins the week of May 4 and will continue through the summer.
Key updates include:
- Flashing Yellow Arrows at 16 intersections to make left turns easier while maintaining safety.
- Restored protected left turns at select locations using lagging left‑turn timing to support pedestrian safety.
- New synchronization plans to reduce congestion and increase green‑light progression during peak hours.
- Replacing three exclusive pedestrian phases with LPIs to reduce wait times, improve compliance, and maintain safety benefits.
Downtown Signal Retiming Project Map- Phase 2
Phase I
NDOT implemented Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) and signal timing enhancements in the downtown area April 2025. These changes aimed to optimize signal timings for 108 intersections in Downtown Nashville in accordance with the Vision Zero Implementation Plan and Connect Downtown Action Plan and provide a safer experience for people walking.
The signal timing updates were deployed over a two-month period in sections of 20 signals at a time to allow engineering staff to make observations and field changes based on early feedback. These improvements were designed to benefit everyone using our roads, ultimately enhancing downtown travel conditions.
A protected left-turn phase was removed from 67 traffic signals to implement a Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI). Removing the left-turn phase accommodates the shorter cycle lengths and prevents vehicle-pedestrian conflicts. Exclusive pedestrian phases were also added to nine intersections in the downtown area. An exclusive pedestrian phase is a traffic signal phase where all vehicle traffic is stopped, and pedestrians have the right of way. Diagonal crossing is only permitted where the signage and markings indicate it is safe to do so.
