Evaluation of Countdown Pedestrian Signals in the District of Columbia

Details

• Creators:
  Noel, Errol C. ; Arhin, Stephen A.
• Corporate Creators:
  Howard University. Transportation Research Center (HUTRC)
• Corporate Contributors:
  District Department of Transportation
• Subject/TRT Terms:
  • Attitudes
  • Before and after studies
  • Pedestrian actuated controllers
  • Pedestrian movement
  • Pedestrian safety
  • Pedestrians
  • Signalized intersections
  • Surveys
  • Countdown Pedestrian Signals
• Publication/ Report Number:
  HUTRC 2006-09
• Resource Type:
  Tech Report
• Geographical Coverage:
  Washington (District of Columbia) ; United States
• Edition:
  Final Report 12/01/2004 – 04/2006
• Corporate Publisher:
  District Department of Transportation
• Abstract:
  Countdown pedestrian signals (CPS) are increasingly used as a device for improving safety at signalized intersections. Using a “before and after” methodology, the research evaluated the effect of CPS installations at fourteen (14) intersections in the District of Columbia where the countdown begins with the steady “WALK” indication. The research examined the impact of CPS on various pedestrian behaviors, such as running, balking, completing crossing during the steady “DON’T WALK” interval, starting to cross during the flashing “DON’T WALK” interval, starting to cross during the steady “WALK” interval, remaining in the crosswalk during the steady “DON’T WALK” interval, remaining in the crosswalk during the display of the green indication for the crossing traffic, walking speed and pedestrian-vehicle conflicts. An attitudinal survey was also conducted at seven intersections. The results of the evaluation were not statistically conclusive about the positive impacts of CPS on pedestrian safety at the majority of intersections. The results were neither indicative of any adverse pedestrian behavior caused by CPS. More than 80% of the pedestrians surveyed favor use of CPS.
• Format:
  PDF
• Funding:
  HU-633592
• Download URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/61755/dot_61755_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.31 MB]
• Collection(s):
  US Transportation Collection
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:8ede3295fb380c4f73edcf37f08b5567e69b62715ef426804434b30140c2e6a7