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Title:

VALIDATION OF THE TIME-SPACE CORNER AND CROSSWALK ANALYSIS METHOD

Accession Number:

00483805

Record Type:

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Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309047048

Abstract:

Time-space analysis is a new method for evaluating pedestrian activity spaces. This technique has been used in the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) to determine pedestrian levels of service in corners and crosswalks. Although the new method follows established pedestrian traffic relationships, it had not been validated as a measure of actual street conditions. Evaluation of the pedestrian traffic impacts through the use of the HCM is a part of New York City's environmental review process for new developments, motivating the City Planning Commission, with U.S. Department of Transportation support, to sponsor a time-lapse photography study to validate the HCM pedestrian analysis method. Based on the analysis of time-lapse photography of pedestrian traffic activity at four Manhattan central business district intersections, the HCM time-space analysis model was found to be a valid procedure for determining pedestrian levels of service in corners and crosswalks. However, the photographic observations of pedestrian activity, combined with a computer sensitivity analysis of HCM model input parameters, indicated the following changes would improve the accuracy of the method: (a) standing area in corners for those waiting to cross increased from the HCM value of 5 sq ft/person to 7 sq ft/person; (b) occupancy time in corners for those moving through the corner changed from a uniform 4 sec to a value determined by a linear regression equation based on sidewalk width; (c) start-up time or delay of 3 sec for pedestrians to begin crossing in the HCM model eliminated to simplify the analysis model; and (d) walking speeds of pedestrians in crosswalks reduced from 4.5 ft/sec to 3.3 ft/sec as more representative of observed crosswalk platoon flow. An additional observation of the study was that although pedestrian levels of service show relatively little degradation because of turning vehicles, heavy pedestrian traffic noticeably reduced intersection capacity, potentially warranting turn restrictions where there are high crossing-volumes to increase intersection capacity, with secondary benefits of improved pedestrian safety and convenience.

Supplemental Notes:

This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1168, Driver Performance, Pedestrian Planning, and Bicycle Facilities. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

Monograph Accession #:

00620473

Corporate Authors:

Transportation Research Board

500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001 United States

Authors:

Fruin, John J
Ketcham, Brian T
Hecht, Peter

Pagination:

p. 39-44

Publication Date:

1988

Serial:

Transportation Research Record

Issue Number: 1168
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0361-1981

ISBN:

0-309-04704-8

Features:

Figures (4) ; References (3)

Identifier Terms:

Old TRIS Terms:

Subject Areas:

Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control

Files:

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Created Date:

May 31 1989 12:00AM

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