DO DRIVERS STOP AT UNSIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS FOR PEDESTRIANS WHO ARE BLIND?

The author lists factors that hamper blind pedestrians, and that they need to take into account, when crossing at unsignalized intersections. These issues should be brought to the attention of traffic engineers when designing intersections. She also notes trends in driver awareness (they rarely stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, whether the pedestrians have white canes or not) that endanger all pedestrians. Some factors affecting blind pedestrians' ability to cross a street include the following: 1) They must be able to hear the sound of approaching vehicles far enough in advance to give them sufficient warning to allow them time to complete their crossing. 2) Competing sounds (lawnmower, air conditioners, wind, traffic) will hinder their ability to hear the sound of an approaching vehicle. 3) They must be able to recognize the sound of an idling car, to know that a vehicle has indeed stopped for them. 4) New hybrid cars often sound much quieter, or have no sound at all when they are stopped, thus confounding the aural information received.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0935403752
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Sauerburger, D
• Conference:
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) 2003 Technical Conference and Exhibit
  • Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
  • Date: 2003-3-23 to 2003-3-26
• Publication Date: 2003-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 3p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Ambient noise; Auditory perception; Awareness; Blind persons; Drivers; Engine idling; Hybrid vehicles; Motor vehicles; Pedestrian movement; Pedestrian safety; Pedestrians; Stopping; Traffic engineering; Traffic noise; Unsignalized intersections
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00943858
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0935403752
• Report/Paper Numbers: CD-020
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 18 2003 12:00AM