RESEARCH ON IMPROVING MOTORISTS YIELDING AT CROSSWALKS ON MULTILANE ROADS WITH AN UNCONTROLLED APPROACH

Crosswalks do not produce a false sense of security but increased yielding can place pedestrians at risk when vehicles stop for pedestrians too close to crosswalks. This is particularly true of crosswalks on multilane roads with uncontrolled approaches. Motorists yielding too close to the crosswalks on multilane roads can block the view of traffic approaching in the next travel lane. They also block the pedestrian's view of traffic approaching in the lane he or she is about to enter. Several low to medium cost engineering countermeasures can reduce the risk of a multiple threat crash caused by vehicle screening. One measure is to install a YIELD HERE FOR PEDESTRIANS sign 10 to 15 meters in advance of the crosswalk. Data show that this sign used in conjunction with a yield line can produce a marked reduction in multiple threat conflicts. It is recommended that consideration be given to replacing the present crosswalk sign with this sign. Other effective countermeasures are: 1. the use of an intelligent transportation systems (ITS) animated light emitting diodes (LED) signal designed to alert drivers to the presence of pedestrians crossing in front of them. This sign also indicates whether the pedestrian is crossing from the driver's right or left. 2. the use of raised pedestrian crossing islands; 3. the use of curb extensions or bulbouts.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0935403620
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Conference proceedings available on CD-ROM only.
• Corporate Authors:

  Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

  Washington, DC  United States 
• Authors:
  • Van Houten, R
• Conference:
  • ITE 2001 Annual Meeting and Exhibit
  • Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • Date: 2001-8-19 to 2001-8-22
• Publication Date: 2001-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 8p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Countermeasures; Crosswalks; Drivers; Intelligent transportation systems; Light emitting diodes; Multilane highways; Pedestrian safety; Pedestrians; Yield signs; Yielding
• Uncontrolled Terms: Curb extensions; Raised pedestrian islands
• Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00921877
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0935403620
• Report/Paper Numbers: CD-013
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 26 2002 12:00AM