Pedestrian Signal Timing Calculator

Calculator Inputs

Use feet and seconds for consistent results. Enable refuge stage mode when pedestrians are timed only to a median or refuge island.

Total Crossing Distance (ft)

Walking Speed (ft/s)

Minimum Walk Interval (s)

Startup Allowance (s)

Reaction Allowance (s)

Yellow Interval (s)

All-Red Interval (s)

Concurrent Vehicle Green (s)

Signal Cycle Length (s)

Enable refuge or two-stage timing

Stage Distance to Refuge (ft)

Formula Used

1) Effective design distance
Effective Distance = Total Crossing Distance, or Stage Distance when refuge timing is enabled.

2) Walk interval
Walk Interval = max(Minimum Walk Interval, Startup Allowance + Reaction Allowance)

3) Clearance time
Clearance Time = Effective Distance ÷ Walking Speed

4) Flashing don't walk display
FDW Display = max(Clearance Time - Yellow Interval - All-Red Interval, 0)

5) Required pedestrian phase
Required Pedestrian Phase = Walk Interval + Clearance Time

6) Compliance margin
Compliance Margin = Available Phase - Required Pedestrian Phase
Available Phase = Vehicle Green + Yellow Interval + All-Red Interval

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the curb-to-curb crossing distance in feet.
Set the design walking speed used by your agency or project.
Enter your minimum walk interval and any startup or reaction allowances.
Input the yellow, all-red, vehicle green, and cycle length values.
Enable refuge timing only if pedestrians are timed to a median or refuge island.
Press Calculate Timing to show the result summary below the header and above the form.
Review the required phase, available phase, margin, and timing chart.
Export the calculated values using the CSV or PDF buttons.

Example Data Table

Total Crossing Distance (ft)	Walking Speed (ft/s)	Walk Interval (s)	Yellow (s)	All-Red (s)	Vehicle Green (s)	Required Phase (s)	Available Phase (s)	Margin (s)
60.00	3.00	7.00	3.50	1.50	24.00	27.00	29.00	2.00

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What does this calculator estimate?

It estimates walk time, clearance time, flashing don't walk time, available signal window, and the remaining margin for a pedestrian crossing movement.

2) Why is walking speed so important?

Walking speed directly changes clearance time. A slower design speed produces a longer crossing requirement and may require more green time or stage-based timing.

3) What is FDW display time?

FDW means flashing don't walk. It is the visible portion of the clearance period before yellow and all-red consume the remaining time.

4) When should I enable refuge timing?

Use it when the crossing is intentionally split into stages and pedestrians are expected to reach a median or refuge island before completing the next stage.

5) Does a positive margin mean the design is perfect?

No. A positive margin only shows the available window exceeds the entered requirement. Site operations, local standards, accessibility needs, and traffic interactions still need review.

6) Why compare required phase against available phase?

That comparison shows whether the pedestrian movement fits inside the current signal timing. Negative margin suggests the phase is too short for the selected assumptions.

7) Can I use meters instead of feet?

You can, but only if distance and walking speed use matching units. This page is labeled for feet and feet per second, so keep units consistent.

8) Is this enough for final construction approval?

It is a planning and checking tool. Final approval should follow local agency practice, field conditions, accessibility review, and any adopted signal timing standard.