INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS AT UNSIGNALIZED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING LOCATIONS

Crossing streets and uncontrolled (i.e., no traffic signal or STOP sign) locations can pose a serious risk to pedestrians. Pedestrians who cross at midblock account for as much as 26 percent of all motor vehicle-pedestrian crashes, according to a 1996 review of 5,000 pedestrian crash reports from six different states. That study found that another 32 percent of motor vehicle-pedestrian crashes were intersection-related. Ninety-three percent of the midblock crashes and 40 percent of the intersection crashes occurred at uncontrolled locations. Local agencies may or may not paint crosswalks at uncontrolled locations based on average daily traffic, pedestrian volumes, and other warrants. However, even if a crosswalk has been painted across the roadway, the driver may not notice the crosswalk markings, even if the markings are in good condition and crosswalk signing is in place. Adequate gaps may be relatively infrequent on wide streets where vehicle volumes and speeds are high. In addition, the driver may physically not see the pedestrian because the pedestrian is obscured by parked vehicles along the curb, by a vehicle in another lane that has stopped to allow the pedestrian to cross, or perhaps by other visual obstructions. At night, crosswalks and pedestrians can be extremely difficult for motorists to see in time to stop. To make crosswalks more visible and/or to increase motorist yielding, some local agencies use high-visibility crosswalks and various types of signs to supplement the crosswalk marking. Some cities are experimenting with innovative signs and markings.

• Record URL:
  http://www.ite.org/traffic/documents/AB00H5102.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Full conference proceedings available on CD-ROM. ISBN 0-935403-48-5.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Huang, Hainan
  • Zegeer, C
  • Nassi, R
• Conference:
  • ITE 2000 Annual Meeting and Exhibit
  • Location: Nashville, Tennessee
  • Date: 2000-8-6 to 2000-8-9
• Publication Date: 2000

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 20p
• Serial:
  • Institute of Transportation Engineers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crosswalks; Pedestrian safety; Risk analysis; Stop signs; Traffic control; Unsignalized intersections; Vehicles; Visibility
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00809250
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 25 2001 12:00AM