NDOT Announces Update on the Downtown Signal Retiming Project to Make Traffic Safer and More Efficient

The Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) is announcing phase 2 of the Downtown Signal Retiming Project, a project aimed at making downtown streets safer and allowing traffic to move more efficiently through busy corridors. Implementation of these changes begins this week, with work continuing through the summer.

Year-over year, there has been a 20% reduction in crashes in downtown Nashville involving people walking, since the installation of leading pedestrian intervals to give people walking a head start crossing at downtown intersections. When compared to a three-year average, pedestrian-involved crashes downtown are down 34% and total crashes are down 16%. Phase 2 will build on that progress by refining signal timing, restoring targeted left-turn operations where needed, improving corridor coordination, and continuing to prioritize safety for people walking, driving, and moving through downtown.

"The bottom line here is that this signal retiming project is making our downtown streets safer, and work better," said NDOT Deputy Director Derek Hagerty. "We've created a safter environment for people walking, and we are introducing flashing yellow arrows in key locations to make left turns easier, while maintaining safety benefits for everyone."

Phase 2 recommendations are informed by data collected during the first phase of the effort. Changes include:

• Deployment of Flashing Yellow Arrows (FYAs) at 16 intersections. FYAs provide drivers with clear guidance to yield to oncoming drivers, in place of a dedicated protected left-turn phase.
• Restoration of some protected left turns at key locations, added as lagging left turns to maintain pedestrian safety benefits.
• Addition of new synchronization plans to improve congestion during peak travel times, giving drivers more green lights.
• Replacing three of the previously installed exclusive pedestrian phases with Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs). Longer wait times associated with exclusive pedestrian phases were creating conditions where some pedestrians chose to cross during unsafe conditions. Replacing those locations with LPIs allows for important safety benefits while reducing pedestrian delay and improving compliance.

The changes will be implemented beginning the week of May 4th and will continue throughout the summer.

Downtown Signal Retiming Project Map- Phase 2

Learn more about the Traffic Management Center Signal Retiming Project .

To report non-emergency issues affecting a Metro Nashville street, visit hub.nashville.gov.