ACHD Testing New Travel Safety Tool at

Meridian and Ustick Intersection

MERIDIAN — The Ada County Highway District (ACHD) is introducing a new travel safety feature at the intersection of Meridian Road and Ustick Road in Meridian. Last week, ACHD crews installed the first Leading Through Interval (LTI) to evaluate its effectiveness in improving traffic flow. If successful, the LTI could be installed at designated right-turn lanes throughout the county.

The LTI technology would work in conjunction with the widely-used Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI), which is an added safety measure for pedestrians. In its current state, the LPI allows for pedestrians to enter into the crosswalk prior to giving a green light to vehicle traffic. This makes pedestrians more visible, increasing safety for all users.

Currently, at intersections with a designated right-turn lane, through traffic, which does not conflict with the pedestrians, are also given a red light while the LPI cycles through. The newly implemented LTI technology provides a green light specifically for vehicles moving straight through the intersection while continuing to hold those turning right at intersections when the crossing signal is activated. Once the additional LPI time has run its course, drivers will see the right-turn lane traffic signal transition from a solid red ball to a flashing yellow arrow, another safety improvement the District is excited to see tested. Today, drivers are given a green light. The flashing yellow will be an added reminder to yield and use caution while turning.

“The LTI phase helps improve the flow of through traffic while ensuring that pedestrians are still given a head start before right-turning vehicles,” said ACHD Director Ryan Head. “By testing this technology at the Meridian and Ustick intersection, we can assess its effectiveness and potentially expand its use to other eligible intersections throughout Ada County.”

The intersection of Meridian and Ustick Roads was selected as the pilot location due to its heavy traffic volume and its existing infrastructure, which includes dedicated right-turn lanes in all directions. This makes it an ideal location for testing the LTI system.

While LTI technology is new to ACHD, it has been successfully implemented in other areas of the United States, including Pittsburgh, where it has been shown to improve both pedestrian safety and traffic flow. The pilot program at Meridian and Ustick is part of ACHD's ongoing efforts to explore innovative solutions to enhance safety for all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

What Drivers and Pedestrians Can Expect:

• For drivers: Right-turning vehicles will experience a red ball followed by a flashing yellow arrow during the LPI phase. This flashing yellow alert will remind drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing the street before making their turn. Vehicles going straight through the intersection will have a green light, allowing them to proceed without delay.
• For pedestrians: Pedestrians will continue to receive a head start with the LPI, giving them more time to cross the intersection safely before vehicles are allowed to move.

After the test period, ACHD will review the results and consider expanding the LTI to other intersections with right-turn lanes across Ada County.

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