ELDERLY PEDESTRIAN BEHAVIOUR AND DRIVER ATTITUDES AND KNOWLEDGE REGARDING PEDESTRIANS, VOLUME 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE PROBLEM AND CLEARANCE PHASE CHANGE EVALUATION

Statistics for New South Wales identify the over-involvement of the elderly among pedestrian casualties. Significant numbers of the casualties occur at signalised crossing points. Based on our earlier study of walking speeds for the elderly, the present study examined the impact of changing the duration of the clearance (flashing Don't Walk) phase. This phase was extended on a side street crossing and on a major (6 lane) road crossing. The duration was extended to allow for a crossing speed of 0.9m/s instead of the existing 1.2m/s. Pedestrian behaviour was recorded and interviews were conducted with pedestrians prior to the changes, and 2 and 6 weeks after the changes. Interviews were conducted with 349 pedestrians, and details of 3242 crossings were recorded. Consistent with previous results, the elderly crossed more slowly than other age groups, as did females compared with males. Interviews revealed that pedestrians were unaware of the changes and they showed no significant changes in behaviour. Nonetheless, benefits may accrue from allowing more walking time for the elderly. Pedestrian-vehicle conflicts were statistically significantly reduced by the extended clearance phase, which may have elicited more concession of right of way from motorists. These potential benefits must be weighed against possible reductions in traffic flow, especially on highly trafficked roads. (a)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0731054733
• Corporate Authors:

  ROADS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITY (RTA). METROPOLITAN REGION

  PO BOX K198
  HAYMARKET, NEW SOUTH WALES  Australia  1238
• Authors:
  • Job, RFS
  • HAYNES, J
  • QUACH, J
  • LEE, SHV
  • PRABHAKAR, T
• Publication Date: 1994-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 1 VOL

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged; Attitudes; Behavior; Drivers; Females; Males; Pedestrian movement; Pedestrians; Speed; Time; Traffic signal cycle; Traffic signals; Urban areas
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ITRD Terms: 2267: Attitude (psychol); 8006: Australia; 9001: Behaviour; 1667: Crossing the road; 576: Cycle (traffic signals); 1772: Driver; 1787: Man; 1746: Old people; 1733: Pedestrian; 5408: Speed; 5414: Time; 565: Traffic signal; 313: Urban area; 1788: Woman
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00743333
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 0-7310-5473-3
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Dec 29 1997 12:00AM