Federal Highway Administration
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590

Refer to: HOTO-1

Mr. Martin G. Buehler
Director of Transportation/County Engineer
Lake County
600 West Winchester Road
Libertyville, IL 60048-1381

Dear Mr. Buehler:

Thank you for your May 4 letter regarding your request to experiment (4-222(Ex)) with pedestrian countdown signals. We have reviewed the material that was submitted in support of your request to experiment. In discussions with Mr. Anthony Kahawaja of your staff, we understand that the County is still working on obtaining a legally-binding statement certifying that the traffic control device is not protected by a patent or copyright. When we receive that statement, we will approve your experiment.

We thank you for your efforts towards receiving approval to experiment with pedestrian countdown signals. We look forward to receiving that statement so we can add Lake County to the list of jurisdictions helping to further the profession through innovative experiments. If we can be of further assistance, please contact Ms. Louisa M. Ward on 202-366-4372.

Sincerely yours,

Shelley J. Row, P.E.
Director, Office of Transportation
Operations