Evaluation of the False Sense of Security for Pedestrians at Varied Crosswalk Treatments

Each year, approximately 12 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the United States involve a pedestrian, which underscores the need for immediate attention. At the forefront of initiatives to improve pedestrian safety has been a continued focus on enhancement of the crosswalk itself. More specifically, newer pedestrian crosswalk treatments have been implemented with the primary goals of improving crosswalk and pedestrian visibility along with increasing drivers’ yield compliance rates. However, increased levels of safety enhancements may be accompanied by unintended consequences that are related to the degradation of pedestrian vigilance resulting from an increased perception of safety. This research sought to quantify the false sense of security exhibited by pedestrians’ crossing behavior as a function of various crosswalk treatments. A specific hypothesis being evaluated is that as the level of crosswalk treatment increases (i.e., higher visibility), the pedestrian vigilance decreases. This research had two primary objectives: 1) to ascertain if varied pedestrian crosswalk treatments influence specific crossing behaviors, and 2) to quantify the existing sense of security for pedestrians as a function of the crosswalk treatment. Two methodological approaches were employed to collect data on pedestrians’ crossing behaviors, including both direct field and video observations. The naturalistic observations yielded several interesting findings regarding differences in pedestrian behavior (i.e., look/no look, talking on the phone, etc.) as a function of crosswalk treatment. The overall results expand upon current literature and provide specific guidance that is useful in designing appropriate countermeasures aimed towards improving pedestrian safety.

• Record URL:
  https://aetransport.org/past-etc-papers/conference-papers-2015
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract used by permission of Association for European Transport. Alternate title: An Evaluation of the False Sense of Security for Pedestrians at Varied Crosswalk Treatments.
• Corporate Authors:

  Association for European Transport (AET)

  1 Vernon Mews, Vernon Street, West Kensington
  London W14 0RL,    
• Authors:
  • Fitzpatrick, Cole D
  • Gómez, Radhameris A
  • Knodler, Michael A
  • McKinnon, Ian A
  • Pires, Manuel D
• Conference:
  • European Transport Conference 2015
  • Location: Frankfurt , Germany
  • Date: 2015-9-28 to 2015-9-30
• Publication Date: 2015

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 11p
• Monograph Title: European Transport Conference 2015: Strands

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Crosswalks; Fatalities; Pedestrian movement; Pedestrian safety; Pedestrian vehicle crashes; Pedestrians; Visibility
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Subject Areas: Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01579070
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 23 2015 9:28AM