INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – New traffic measures have recently been implemented with the installation of Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI) at all three stoplights in Incline Village and a four-way stop at Southwood and Village Boulevards to increase safety and reduce crashes.
LPIs were brought to the county’s attention by Helen Neff, who on March 14, 2021, was crossing Village Boulevard at the crosswalk heading from Southwood to Northwood Boulevard near the Village Ski Loft when she was struck by a car.
“I was halfway through the crosswalk, and I was hit by a car that I did not even see who was making a left turn,” said Neff.
Neff was airlifted to Renown Regional Medical Center and then transferred by air ambulance to UCSF Health in San Francisco. It took her almost a year to recover after sustaining a number of orthopedic injuries from the accident. Had her head hit the pavement, Neff believes she would have suffered brain injury or even death.
Neff’s accident led her to begin educating herself on pedestrian safety, and with the help of her father who was a retired city planner, she was directed to research LPIs.
According to a study initiated by Washoe County titled the Washoe County Tahoe Transportation Plan, the likelihood of fatality or severe injury to a pedestrian is 50% if the vehicle is going 30 mph. That percent increases to 90% if the car has reached a speed of 40 mph.
The study also showed that out of 554 crashes in Incline Village and Crystal Bay, the Village Boulevard and SR 28 intersection had the highest recorded vehicle crash density from 2015 to 2019.
“This study has many recommendations that Washoe County is working with [Nevada Department of Transportation] (NDOT) to implement,” said Alexis Hill, Washoe County Commissioner.
In 2024, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) adopted a plan called Vision Zero Strategy. Together with NDOT and Washoe County, these local and state agencies’ goals are to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
Tools in the Vision Zero Strategy plan include countermeasures such as ADA crosswalks, high visibility crosswalks, roundabouts, pedestrian medians, and LPIs.
Objectives of an LPI are to establish a presence for pedestrians, giving them a three to seven-second head start before vehicles are given a green signal. This reduces potential conflicts between pedestrians and turning vehicles with a 13% reduction in crashes reported by the Federal Highway Administration.
Installation requires reprogramming of existing traffic signals and with costs ranging from $200 to $1200, they’re considered one of the most cost-effective tools to increase pedestrian safety.
For several years, Neff, with the help of Roxanna Dunn, member of the Incline Village/Crystal Bay Citizens Advisory Board, continued to push for LPIs in Incline.
[Dunn] helped me a lot with meetings with NDOT, meetings with Washoe County, and we brought it to the attention of TRPA,” said Neff. “It took a while, but in the end, everyone came together and really worked towards helping us get this done in Incline Village.”
The newly implemented LPIs are located at all three lights in Incline Village including SR-28 and Country Club Drive, Village Boulevard and SR-28, and the Northwood/Southwood and W SR-28.
“I’m very proud of the work that we’ve recently done on the LPIs in partnership with NDOT,” Hill added. “During my time on the [Board of County Commissioners], we’ve also invested in speed monitor signs and prioritized repainting crosswalks in time for the school year. I look forward to new investments coming to Incline Village as we work through the plan.”
After requests from residents in Incline Village, including Neff, a four-way stop has been added at Southwood and Village Boulevard, this measure aims to increase safety by slowing down traffic as vehicles approach Tahoe Boulevard.
“There is a lot that can be done for road safety – just in the design of our roads and how they’re engineered – that can get vehicles to slow, pedestrians to be more aware, and cyclists to be safe,” Neff said. ”This is a first step for Lake Tahoe to make our roads safe for everyone to use them.
