01778693

Component

https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981211026303

The COVID-19 pandemic, the most significant public health crisis since the 1918–1919 influenza epidemic, is the first such event to occur since the development of modern transportation systems in the twentieth century. Many states across the U.S. imposed lockdowns in early spring 2020, which reduced demand for trips of various types and affected transportation systems. In urban areas, the shift resulted in a reduction in traffic volumes and an increase in bicycling and walking in certain land use contexts. This paper seeks to understand the changes occurring at signalized intersections as a result of the lockdown and the ongoing pandemic, as well as the actions taken in response to these impacts. The results of a survey of agency reactions to COVID-19 with respect to traffic signal operations and changes in pedestrian activity during the spring 2020 lockdown using two case study examples in Utah are presented. First, the effects of placing intersections on pedestrian recall (with signage) to stop pedestrians from pushing the pedestrian button are examined. Next, the changes in pedestrian activity at Utah signalized intersections between the first 6?months of both 2019 and 2020 are analyzed and the impact of land use characteristics is explored. Survey results reveal the importance of using technologies such as adaptive systems and automated traffic signal performance measures to drive decisions. While pedestrian pushbutton actuations decreased in response to the implementation of pedestrian recalls, many pedestrians continued to use the pushbutton. Pedestrian activity changes were also largely driven by surrounding land uses.

Patrick A. Singleton https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9319-2333© National Academy of Sciences: Transportation Research Board 2021.

English

0000-0002-9319-2333

0000-0003-3594-0230

0000-0003-4211-6688

0000-0002-2952-169X

0000-0001-5929-5120

pp 192-203

2023-4

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

Web

References (16)

COVID-19; Land use; Pedestrian traffic; Surveys; Traffic signal control systems

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Pedestrians and Bicyclists

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Jul 23 2021 3:12PM