Effects of Road Infrastructure on Pedestrian Safety

Abstract

Pedestrians represent more than 30% of all of Poland’s road traffic fatalities. This is much higher than the EU average (about 20%). Pedestrian accidents are usually the result of a complex situation and a number of contributing factors involving road users, the road and roadside and the vehicle. Pedestrian accidents are caused by road user error (drivers and pedestrians) and wrong planning and design. Poorly maintained road infrastructure is also a very frequent cause. The objective of the work was to identify risks for pedestrians that involve road infrastructure and roadside and to define how selected elements of geometry and traffic layout affect driver behaviour (speed on approaching pedestrian crossings). The results have helped to formulate recommendations on pedestrian crossing design. The research included an analysis of 2013-2017 statistics to identify the circumstances and causes of pedestrian accidents. Field work at about 2, 000 unsignalized pedestrian crossings was the basis for assessing the safety of these crossings. Assessment criteria were selected and a safety classification was made with specific recommendations made for possible treatments. More field work was designed to measure speeds near pedestrian crossings in three cases: no pedestrians in the crossing area, a pedestrian is approaching a crossing, a pedestrian is waiting to cross the road. The study was conducted in different areas (city, transit roads passing through small towns, non-built-up areas) for different cross-sections (one carriageway and two lanes – 1x2, two carriageways with two or three lanes each – 2x2, 2x3, one carriageway and four lanes – 1x4). The study also looked at speed limits – 50 and 70 km/h. The share of drivers giving way to pedestrians waiting to cross was also assessed. Pedestrians were surveyed and asked about how safe they feel crossing the road. The survey also asked drivers about driver behaviour and use of speed management measures. Statistical analyses show the circumstances and causes of pedestrian accidents. These include driving across a pedestrian crossing illegally, pedestrians stepping onto the road abruptly, night-time, excessive speed and others. Pedestrian crossings are the site of more than 30% pedestrian fatalities which shows the need for treatments. By assessing the hazards caused by road infrastructure near and at pedestrian crossings, the following hazards could be identified: limited sight-distance, poor illumination, excessive speed and no means of speed management, wrong geometry (length of crossing, number of traffic lanes), technical condition of the road and signage. Speed tests near pedestrian crossings show that some 40% of drivers do not observe the speed limits in built-up areas (especially on sections of transit roads passing through small towns and on dual carriageways in urban areas) and 30% do not observe the speed limits on rural roads.