01473331

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2393-20

http://scholar.google.com...hoon&publication_year=2013

When crossing at and near intersections and bends with restricted visibility, pedestrians, particularly disabled people, need to estimate safe gaps in vehicular traffic, as is typically required when they cross straight highway segments. Restricted-visibility crossings occur in urban areas and in rural places such as trail crossings where horizontal or vertical alignments or both reduce sight distances. Pedestrian crossing times currently in practice in the United Kingdom and United States are based on crossing speed and crossing distance. But pedestrians also require an initial observation–reaction time, consideration of the crossing unit’s length (up to 2 m), and a safety margin, all totaling 30% or more in greater total crossing time. These elements are identified relative to sight distances, on the assumption of a pedestrian’s perceptions of what determines his or her safety rather than vehicle stopping distance. The conceptual elements of a crossing pedestrian are then examined to draw selected methodological parallels in collision avoidance analysis. Specifically, human factors involved in drivers’ crossing of major roads and negotiating of railroad crossings provide common features of comparable human factors and physical trajectories. Similarities with and differences from a disabled person crossing a road are then highlighted and illustrated in time–space diagrams. The conclusions are that pedestrian observation–reaction time, the crossing unit’s length, and the safety margin—all currently not considered—may benefit from further examination to determine actual crossing times for design purposes accurately and thereby to improve the mobility of disabled people and pedestrians in general. Current guidance is compared with the findings and leads to suggestions for further research and application to facilities design.

01518276

13-1478

English

pp 174–182

2013

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309287173

Print

Figures (5) ; References (18) ; Tables (2)

Highway design; Human factors; Mobility; Pedestrian movement; Pedestrian safety; Persons with disabilities; Sight distance; Time

Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 5 2013 12:22PM

• Analysis of Pedestrian Performance in Shared-Space Environments
• Analysis of Pedestrian–Vehicle Traffic Conflicts in Street Designs with Elements of Shared Space
• Application of Computer Vision to Diagnosis of Pedestrian Safety Issues
• Considerations for Integrating Bicycling and Walking Facilities into Urban Infrastructure
• Development of Canadian National Pedestrian Crossing Control Guide
• Do All Roadway Users Want the Same Things? Results from Roadway Design Survey of San Francisco Bay Area Pedestrians, Drivers, Bicyclists, and Transit Users
• Do Complete Streets Cost More Than Incomplete Streets?
• Effect of Advance Yield Markings and Symbolic Signs on Vehicle–Pedestrian Conflicts: Field Evaluation
• Effect of Left-Turn Operational Mode on Pedestrian Safety: Development of Models and Guidelines
• Effectiveness of Audible and Tactile Heading Cues at Complex Intersections for Pedestrians Who Are Blind
• Effects of High-Visibility Enforcement on Driver Compliance with Pedestrian Yield Right-of-Way Laws
• Evaluation of Pedestrian Safety: Pedestrian Crash Hot Spots and Risk Factors for Injury Severity
• Feature Analysis and Operation Evaluation of Pedestrian Weaving Zone
• Improving Cyclist and Pedestrian Environment While Maintaining Vehicle Throughput: Before- and After-Construction Analysis
• Missing Links: How Social Paths Can Improve Pedestrian Accessibility to Light Rail
• Pedestrian Crash Risk on Boundary Roadways: University Campus Case Study
• Study on Pedestrian Red-Time Crossing Behavior: Integrated Field Observation and Questionnaire Data
• Use of Spatiotemporal Parameters of Gait for Automated Classification of Pedestrian Gender and Age
• Using a Smartphone Application to Support Visually Impaired Pedestrians at Signalized Intersection Crossings