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Title:

Survey on Message Communicated by Rapid-Flashing Yellow Beacons/LEDs Used with Pedestrian Crossing Sign

Accession Number:

01551727

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

Transportation Research Board Business Office

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Abstract:

This paper describes the methodology and results from a survey conducted following a closed-course study that examined LED characteristics used with pedestrian crossing signs. In addition to drawing drivers’ attention to a device and the area around the device, unique flash patterns may be able to help provide a message to drivers regarding conditions at the downstream site. The objective of the survey was to gain insights into driver’s opinions on the urgency of the message provided by rapid-flashing beacons when used with a pedestrian crossing sign. The survey found that multiple flashes within a short time period were better at communicating the need to stop for a pedestrian at a crosswalk as compared to few or no flashes such as the wig-wag or no LED illuminated conditions. When observing close-up views of a sign assembly consisting of a pedestrian crossing sign and LEDs either embedded or below the sign, the patterns that used multiple pulses communicated greater urgency in needing to yield to a pedestrian. The participants indicated that LEDs below communicated more urgency than the LEDs within. When asked to count the number of pulses in a light bar with the 2-5 pattern, the majority of the participants (77 percent) correctly counted 2 pulses. Almost none of the participants correctly counted 5 pulses. Only 4 participants provided the correct answer of 5. The majority of the participants (55 percent) saw 3 pulses when 5 pulses were present.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AND40 Visibility. Alternate title: Survey on Message Communicated by Rapid-Flashing Yellow LEDs Used with Pedestrian Crossing Sign.

Monograph Accession #:

01550057

Report/Paper Numbers:

15-1444

Language:

English

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Fitzpatrick, Kay
Avelar, Raul
Robertson, James

Pagination:

14p

Publication Date:

2015

Conference:

Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting

Location: Washington DC, United States
Date: 2015-1-11 to 2015-1-15
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board

Media Type:

Digital/other

Features:

Figures; Photos; References; Tables

Subject Areas:

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I73: Traffic Control

Source Data:

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2015 Paper #15-1444

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

Dec 30 2014 12:33PM