Expect Longer Wait Times At Princeton Intersection: Officials

PRINCETON, NJ — A Princeton intersection is seeing a change in the traffic light patterns as part of a pilot project, the town's website said, which will increase wait times. The traffic signal at Nassau Street (Rt 27) and Washington Road/Vandeventer will have a pedestrian-only mode in the cycle between June 10 and 21.

They call it an Exclusive Pedestrian Phase (EPP), also known as a pedestrian scramble, the town's release said. It's being done at the request of town officials in an effort to boost pedestrian safety, a release from the NJ Department of Transportation said.

There are some advantages and disadvantages to this. There will be "significant convenience and safety for pedestrians," the town said, and removes the possible conflict between pedestrians and turning vehicles.

On the downside, there will undoubtedly be an increased wait time for both vehicles and pedestrians.

Here's what pedestrians, drivers and cyclists should expect from the traffic light cycle change, as obtained from Princeton's website:

Pedestrians
The pedestrian walk signal will only be activated by pushing the button on the traffic signal pole.

Cross only when Pedestrian Signal indicates the Walk Signal. The EPP stops the vehicle traffic from all directions with a red signal. The “all-red, all-walk” phase allows pedestrians to cross all four main crosswalks as well as diagonally across the intersection.

Pedestrians will also notice that when vehicles have a green signal to move through the intersection, pedestrians will have Don’t Walk signals across all streets. This allows vehicles to proceed through the intersection or turn without any conflicts or hazards.

See the NJDOT release here.

Drivers
Obey the Traffic Signal - NO Right Turns on Red Signals - at all times! Drivers who attempt a right turn on red will create a safety hazard for pedestrians, especially during the EPP phase.

This intersection is a very high pedestrian traffic area, please drive at or below the speed limit.

Wait times at the intersection may be longer and vehicles may experience more delay during peak travel times because of the new “all-red, all-walk” pedestrian crossing traffic signal phase.

Cyclists
Cyclists may proceed on a Walk signal by dismounting and walking as a pedestrian.

Cyclists may ride through the intersection on the green signal for vehicles.