FIXED ILLUMINATION FOR PEDESTRIAN PROTECTION. PHASE II

Phase II of this research consisted of the design and installation of specialized crosswalk illumination systems at seven locations in Philadelphia, Pa.; a determination of the improvement in visibility provided by these illumination systems; a determination of the improvement in driver detection of the improvement in driver detection of pedestrians at the specially illuminated crosswalks; a determination of pedestrian, driver and local resident attitudes toward crosswalk illumination; and a determination of the improvement in driver and pedestrian behavior under actual crossing situations. The major conclusions are (1) after installation of the specialized crosswalk illumination, illumination levels increased between 4:1 and 33:1; and the pavement luminance, ambient visibility (VI) and dynamic visibility (DVI) all significantly improved; (2) threshold detection increased by a almost 140%; (3) pedestrians, drivers and local resident attitudes toward the specialized illumination was extremely positive: a great majority felt safety, thought the lighting provided better visibility of pedestrians on crosswalks. The "AFTER" observational experiments indicated a safer behavior pattern at the illuminated crosswalks. This was demonstrated by (1) a longer mean search time; (2) a more complete search pattern in all directions in both first half and second half of the crossing; (3) a more distinct motivation and distraction; (4) greater use of the crosswalk area (fewer crossings outside of the crosswalk), especially in observations with potential pedestrian-vehicle conflict; and (5) brighter apparent clothing brightness.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Sponsored by DOT and FHWA
• Corporate Authors:

  Franklin Institute

  Research Laboratories, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
  Philadelphia, PA  United States 
• Authors:
  • Janoff, M S
  • Freedman, M
  • Koth, B
• Publication Date: 1975-7

Media Info

• Pagination: 121 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Behavior; Crosswalks; Drivers; Lighting; Pedestrian safety; Pedestrian vehicle interface; Traffic conflicts; Visibility
• Old TRIS Terms: Pedestrian protection
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00139795
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-76- 3 Intrm Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FH-11-8034
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 6 1976 12:00AM