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Cross or wait? Pedestrian decision making during clearance phase at signalized intersections.
Xiangling Zhuang1, Changxu Wu2, Shu Ma3
1Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, China.
Accident; Analysis and Prevention
|December 4, 2017
Summary
Most pedestrians illegally cross during the flashing Don't Walk phase, increasing their risk. Younger pedestrians and those not busy are more likely to cross, highlighting the need for improved traffic safety measures.
Area of Science:
- Traffic Safety and Human Behavior
- Urban Planning and Transportation Engineering
Background:
- Pedestrian risk at intersections is influenced by choices made during the clearance phase (Flashing Don't Walk).
- Limited research exists on pedestrian decision-making during this critical phase.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze pedestrian choices after arriving during the clearance phase.
- To evaluate the safety of these choices.
- To develop a model predicting pedestrian choices.
Main Methods:
- A field study was conducted to observe and analyze pedestrian behavior.
- Data collected included pedestrian choices (cross vs. wait) and associated risks.
- A predictive model was built to identify factors influencing these choices.
Main Results:
- 85.2% of pedestrians chose to cross during the clearance phase, despite this being illegal.
- 79% did not complete crossing before the light turned red, proceeding into red light running.
- Pedestrians who waited faced lower risks (fewer running behaviors, vehicle conflicts) than those who crossed prematurely.
Conclusions:
- Pedestrian choices during the clearance phase are dynamic and context-dependent.
- Younger pedestrians, those not engaged in secondary tasks, and arrival conditions influence the decision to cross.
- Findings support the need for revised traffic regulations and signal designs to enhance pedestrian safety.
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