Alternative Treatments for At-Grade Pedestrian Crossings

Author(s):

Lalani, Nazir

Organization:

ITE Pedestrian and Bicycle Task Force

Publisher/Date:

ITE, 2001

Rating:

Useful

Abstract:

sponsored by the ITE Pedestrian and Bicycle Task Force is a study of crosswalk designs prompted by a number of studies that showed that unmarked pedestrian street crossings had significantly fewer vehicle-pedestrian accidents than crossings with crosswalks, up to a 1:6 ratio in some studies.

The monograph seldom delves into the behavior or capabilities of pedestrians, although it does discuss detectable warnings in one section, mentions pedestrian behavior at islands in another section, presents a good discussion on devices for folks with poor vision, and has several other references to behavior here and there. None-the-less, by presenting the variety of devices and treatments available for increasing safety, it could be a valuable resource for detailing crossing treatments in any pedestrian crossing situation.

The premise of the authors was to investigate what additional treatments were necessary to reduce pedestrian/vehicle accidents. Only incidentally did actual removal of the crosswalk striping come to play, although the efficacy of removal was demonstrated in most of the studies.

Aside from a concluding chapter and appendices, the monograph material falls into four divisions. The first division contains mostly academic material, consisting of a summary of research findings (Chapter 1); criteria used by the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand for determining where a crosswalk should be installed (Chapter 2); and in Chapter 3, a listing of information sources for a variety street-crossing treatments.

Chapters 4, 5, and 6 make-up the second division. Chapter 4 runs through 25 typical un-signaled crossing conditions -- their advantages, disadvantages, costs, and any research results; Chapter 5 does the same for residential street crossings (6 conditions); and Chapter 6 presents three case histories where crosswalks were removed.

The third division looks at pedestrian controlled signalization (7 conditions) and non-pedestrian controlled signalization (26 conditions), Chapters 7 and 8, respectively. Finally, Chapter 10 presents street crossings at schools as a special condition.

Although academic by intent, this monograph could be used by engineers for deciding on treatments after the decision to allow pedestrian to cross a street has been made, particularly the chapters dealing with signalized crossings. Also, persons writing guidelines/regulations/codes might use it to mandate specific treatments for certain situations.

Number of Pages:

134

Table of Contents?

Yes

Index?

Yes

Illustrations?

Yes (Photographs)

Material Type:

Book

Key Document?

No

Categories:

Guidelines, Policy, Research, Materials, Products, Planning, Design Development, Construction Documents

Keywords:

Pedestrian Crossings, Walkability

Record Last Updated:

July 2006