A resource for engineers, planners, and decision-makers working to improve pedestrian crossing safety across Nevada.

The Pedestrian Crosswalk Guidelines have been developed by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to support a consistent process for evaluating, prioritizing, and improving pedestrian crossings throughout the state. The document offers both structure and flexibility—helping users use a data-driven approach to guide informed decisions while also allowing space for engineering judgment based on local conditions.

The guidance covers how and when to evaluate a location for a marked crosswalk, how to select appropriate safety countermeasures, and what steps to follow when initiating or documenting a project. It includes methods for network screening using crash and volume data, prioritization using weighted severity scores, and specific recommendations for rural, suburban, and urban environments.

The Guidelines walk through:

• Key factors for identifying candidate locations, including crash data, traffic volume and speed, pedestrian demand, and roadway characteristics
• Guidance for conducting field reviews and collecting supporting data
• A treatment matrix and flowchart to help determine which improvements are best suited for the site
• Details on proven countermeasures, including pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHBs), rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), raised crosswalks, refuge islands, Danish offsets, and improved lighting
• Information on documentation requirements and how to align future projects with the One Nevada Plan

Supporting Materials

NDOT Pedestrian Crosswalk Guidelines

Provides the full framework for identifying and evaluating pedestrian crossing locations, including network screening methods, prioritization steps, data needs, and treatment selection strategies. Field data collection and documentation requirements are also covered in detail.

NDOT Pedestrian Crosswalk Guidance

NDOT Pedestrian Treatment Evaluation Excel Tool

This spreadsheet-based tool supports treatment selection based on crash data, roadway context, and pedestrian activity. It includes a built-in economic analysis worksheet that calculates a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) using customizable treatment costs and crash modification factors (CMFs).

NDOT Pedestrian Crosswalk Treatment Tool

NDOT Data Collection Form

A standardized form to support field visits and desktop reviews. This form captures existing conditions, infrastructure, pedestrian generators, visibility issues, and other site-specific factors that inform treatment selection and project documentation.

NDOT Pedestrian Crosswalk Treatment Data Collection Form

Next Steps for Implementing a Pedestrian Safety Treatment

If pedestrian improvements recommended in the Pedestrian Crosswalk Guidelines are being considered on an NDOT maintained road, please contact the appropriate NDOT District to initiate review. District staff will coordinate with Traffic Operations as needed, consistent with NDOT’s Traffic Operations and Safety Study Procedures (see Appendix H – Pedestrian Safety Improvement Evaluations, and Appendix G – Pedestrian Safety Zones).

This process applies to:

• Installation of marked crosswalks at uncontrolled locations
• Selection of supplemental treatments (e.g., RRFBs, PHBs, refuge islands, lighting)
• Designation of pedestrian safety zones

For details, refer to the 2022 Traffic Operations and Safety Study Procedures.

Contact Your NDOT District

Requests should be submitted to the NDOT District where the project is located. Include the project location, contact information, description of the safety concern, treatment(s) being considered, and any available supporting information (e.g., counts, crash summaries, photos).

District 1 (Southern Nevada)

Permit Application and Information

District 2 (Northwestern Nevada)

Permit Application and Information

District 3 (Northeastern Nevada)

Permit Application and Information

 Note: Improvements on local roads should be submitted to the appropriate city of county agency.