Evaluation of pedestrian speed in Jordan with investigation of some contributing factors

Abstract

Problem: The safe design and operation of traffic signals must allow adequate time for pedestrians to cross safely. In Jordan, no specific guidelines exist on pedestrian speed. Rather, foreign guidelines that may not be applicable to pedestrians in Jordan are followed. Objective: The objectives of this research were: (a) to evaluate pedestrian crossing speed in Jordan; (b) to evaluate the effect of age, gender, distance crossed (street width), and number of pedestrians crossing as a group (group size) on pedestrian speed; and (c) to recommend pedestrian design speed values to represent pedestrians in Jordan. Method: Data of nearly 3,500 pedestrian crossing operations were collected at 27 crosswalks in the Greater Amman Area. Statistical analyses were conducted to reveal which factors significantly contribute to pedestrians' speeds. Results: Age, gender, group size, and street width were found to significantly contribute to pedestrian speed in Jordan. Pedestrians 21–30 years old were the fastest group of pedestrians and pedestrians over 65 years old were the slowest. Male pedestrians had significantly faster walking speeds than female pedestrians. Pedestrians walking as a group of three or more tend to be slower than when walking individually or in couples. Pedestrians crossing wider streets tend to be faster than when crossing narrower streets. The average and 15th percentile pedestrian speeds in Jordan were 1.34 and 1.11 m/s, respectively. In the design of traffic signals in Jordan, the 15th percentile speed of 1.11 m/s was recommended. This value is expected to accommodate at least 85% of pedestrian population. Impact on industry: In areas where older pedestrians, 65 years or older, are frequently encountered, a design speed of 0.97 m/s was recommended to accommodate at least 85% of this slower group.