Walking  Redmond

Countdown signals tell pedestrians the number of seconds that are left to cross the street before the traffic signal changes. Pedestrian countdown signals are installed at all of Redmond's signalized intersections. These new signals improve safety by helping pedestrians make an informed decision about crossing the street. Traffic engineers calculate crossing distances based on a pedestrian walking speed at 3.5 feet per second, which is slower than most people walk.

• When the pedestrian signal shows a steady white image of a walking person, it is your turn to cross.  Watch for turning traffic.
• When the red hand is flashing, pedestrians should not begin to cross, but those already crossing may continue.  The countdown timer display shows pedestrians how many seconds they have to finish crossing.
• The solid red hand means do not start crossing.  Pedestrians should not be in the crosswalk.  Push the pedestrian button and wait for the next "walk" signal.

If you are concerned about pedestrian signal timing at a particular location, or have another traffic safety issue, Report an Issue or email Signal Timing.

Pedestrian Push Buttons

Pedestrian actuated signals are installed at intersections where traffic signals are timed primarily for vehicular traffic. If you don't push the button to activate the pedestrian signal, the traffic signal may not allow you time to safely cross the street. It only requires one push of the button to activate the pedestrian crossing signal.

Meaning Of Signal Displays:

• PEDESTRIAN WALK SIGNAL - Start crossing. Look for right-turning vehicles before you enter the road. Keep your eye on the traffic.
• FLASHING DON'T WALK HAND SIGNAL - Do not begin crossing. If you are in the middle of your crossing, continue to the other side of the street.
• SOLID RED DON'T WALK HAND SIGNAL - Don't attempt to start a crossing. At this point you must wait until a fresh pedestrian walk symbol comes up again.

Located around Redmond's Downtown Pedestrian District communicate to drivers they are in an area where they can expect higher volumes of people walking.

Look for the pedestrian zone signs at these locations:    

•     Leary Way north of West Lake Sammamish Parkway
•     Redmond Way west of West Lake Sammamish Parkway
•     NE 85 Street east of 154 Avenue NE
•     NE 90 Street east of 154 Avenue NE
•     Redmond-Woodinville Road north of NE 90 Street
•     166 Avenue NE north of NE 85 Street
•     Redmond Way near Bear Creek Crossing
•     Avondale Way from westbound Union Hill Road
•     NE 80 Street at 170 Avenue NE

Encouraging traffic to move safely when approaching schools and school crosswalks is an important part of what we do in the Public Works Department. 

Twenty-three 20-MPH school zone speed limit signs with interactive radar feedback are installed throughout the city to help calm traffic near schools and help pedestrians more safely negotiate school crosswalks. These sophisticated signs display the driver's speed, displays a prominent "Slow Down" message when exceeding the active speed limit, and amber beacons flash to notify drivers when the 20-MPH speed limit is active. 

Each year, in late August, the school district finalizes their calendar and schedule, including holidays, vacation days and parent/teacher conferences,  for each school within the city. The Public Works department updates the programming of each of our interactive 20- MPH school zone speed limit locations with the information from the school schedules.

City maintenance staff maintain and repair these units as well as, add orange flags to school crosswalk signs each Fall to remind the motoring public that school is about to start.

While technology, signs, markings and flags all make a critical contribution to traffic safety, we must never forget that it is the careful attention shown by drivers and pedestrians that is paramount to ensuring safety in school zones! 

The City of Redmond encourages children to walk to school. Learn more about the program on the GoRedmond SchoolPool program page.