Study on Pedestrian Red-Time Crossing Behavior

Abstract

In many cities in China, the problems of low efficiency and pedestrian risk taking at signalized intersections are mainly attributed to pedestrian red-time crossing. Pedestrian red-time crossing has many causes, such as traffic design and signal control, traffic flow, and the psychology of pedestrians’ decision making. In this study, data were collected on pedestrian red-time crossing, signal control, crossing facility design, and vehicle traffic flow with field observations and on pedestrians’ decision-making psychology data by using an intercept questionnaire administered after the crossing. A model for pedestrian red-time crossing choice was proposed on the basis of integrated field observations and questionnaire data. The model was compared with models based on either observational data alone or questionnaire data alone and proved to be well fit and to yield better prediction accuracy. The duration of red signal time was found to be the biggest influence on pedestrian red-time crossing. Suggestions for intersection design and signal control are proposed on the basis of these findings. Model building and data collection methods of pedestrian red-time crossing are also discussed.