The Town of Leesburg, Virginia
25 West Market Street P.O. Box 88 201 78
703-777-2420 Metro: 703-478-1821
FAX: 703-737-7065
www.leesburgva.org

February 10, 2003

Ms. Shelley Row
Director of Office of Transportation Operation
FHWA
400 Seventh Street, S.W. - HOTO
Washington, DC 20590

Re: Request To Use Pedestrian Countdown Signals

Dear Ms. Row:

The Town of Leesburg is requesting FHWA to allow the town to use pedestrian countdown signals. Pedestrian related accidents are a concern to the Town of Leesburg and we are committed to improve pedestrian safety in the town. The implementation of the countdown pedestrian signal throughout the Town of Leesburg is an important part of this commitment to safety. The town believes that the countdown signal will provide additional cues to pedestrians to make a more informative decision to either proceed with or wait for a new pedestrian walk phase.

A before and after study will be conducted to evaluate the effects of pedestrian countdown signals. Staff will survey the reaction of several pedestrians regarding their understanding of the way countdown signals operate. This survey will include, but not be limited to, the questions outlined in the FHWA document entitled "Request for Experimentation with Pedestrian Countdown Signals."

The Town of Leesburg is requesting FHWA to allow the town to use pedestrian countdown signals at all traffic signals in Leesburg.

Sincerely,
/s/
Calvin K. Grow. P.E.
Traffic Engineer

cc: Director of Engineering and Public Works
Capital Projects Administrator