Crosswalk Research Articles

Impact of risk perception and trust in autonomous vehicles on pedestrian crossing decision: Navigating the social-technological intersection with the ICLV model

In the rapidly evolving realm of transportation technology, the dynamic relationship between pedestrians and technological innovations has attained unprecedented importance. The complex social-technological intersection surrounding pedestrian road crossings has emerged as an attention for traffic safety. What distinguishes the contemporary urban environment is the rapid assimilation of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) into the transportation infrastructure, including technological elements such as autonomous vehicles, advanced surveillance systems, and smart infrastructure. To investigate how pedestrians perceive risks, trust technology, and make decisions in this era of technological progress, we designed a video-based questionnaire utilizing the stated preference (SP) methodology. We collected SP data from 589 Chinese pedestrians and employed an integrated choice and latent variable (ICLV) model to quantify the influence of risk perception and trust in autonomous vehicle (trust in AV), treated as latent variables, on their crossing decisions. Our findings indicate that the presence of autonomous vehicles significantly affects pedestrian crossing decisions. Specifically, an increase in the approaching vehicle speed and a decrease in the approaching vehicle distance increase the pedestrians’ tendency to choose not to cross the road, and the latent variables of risk perception and trust in AV strongly predict this phenomenon. The results of the scenario analysis show that, compared with overall pedestrians, middle-aged pedestrians and high-risk perception-level pedestrians are more conservative in their crossing decisions, but high levels of trust in AV improve pedestrians’ willingness to cross the street. Additionally, the pedestrian-related findings of this study at the social-technological intersection provide better understanding of the decision process and contribute to the planning and development of urban intelligent transportation systems.

Distraction Effects of Manual Texting and Voice Messaging When Approaching Pedestrian Crossings on Urban Roads: a Driving Simulator Study

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of texting while driving on driver performance and road safety. In order to achieve this goal, 51 participants took part in a driving simulator study that replicated an urban environment. During the trials, text messages with questions of equal cognitive weight were sent to be answered via 1) a manual texting application or 2) a voice message application. A baseline condition with no secondary task was also tested. Along the simulated route, there were some events that could cause a crash, like pedestrians crossing on-and-off crosswalks. The overall findings indicate that both texting and voice messaging activities while driving have detrimental effects on driving performance and road safety, putting drivers at high risk. The practical applications of the findings of this study are primarily directed at policymakers and stakeholders for the development of effective and targeted campaigns.

Distraction Effects of Manual Texting and Voice Messaging When Approaching Pedestrian Crossings on Urban Roads: a Driving Simulator Study

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of texting while driving on driver performance and road safety. In order to achieve this goal, 51 participants took part in a driving simulator study that replicated an urban environment. During the trials, text messages with questions of equal cognitive weight were sent to be answered via 1) a manual texting application or 2) a voice message application. A baseline condition with no secondary task was also tested. Along the simulated route, there were some events that could cause a crash, like pedestrians crossing on-and-off crosswalks. The overall findings indicate that both texting and voice messaging activities while driving have detrimental effects on driving performance and road safety, putting drivers at high risk. The practical applications of the findings of this study are primarily directed at policymakers and stakeholders for the development of effective and targeted campaigns.

Distraction Effects of Manual Texting and Voice Messaging When Approaching Pedestrian Crossings on Urban Roads: a Driving Simulator Study

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of texting while driving on driver performance and road safety. In order to achieve this goal, 51 participants took part in a driving simulator study that replicated an urban environment. During the trials, text messages with questions of equal cognitive weight were sent to be answered via 1) a manual texting application or 2) a voice message application. A baseline condition with no secondary task was also tested. Along the simulated route, there were some events that could cause a crash, like pedestrians crossing on-and-off crosswalks. The overall findings indicate that both texting and voice messaging activities while driving have detrimental effects on driving performance and road safety, putting drivers at high risk. The practical applications of the findings of this study are primarily directed at policymakers and stakeholders for the development of effective and targeted campaigns.

Can zigzag marking improve pedestrian safety at unsignalized crosswalks? An observational before-after study in Israel

Zigzag road marking near unsignalized pedestrian crosswalks is common in some countries but not yet allowed in Israel. An observational before-after study was conducted to explore its impacts on pedestrian crossing conditions. The measure was applied at three midblock urban crosswalks, on dual-carriageway and two-lane roads. The study examined changes in safety-related behaviors by comparing three periods: before the installation, and two weeks and two months afterwards. Shortly after the zigzag application, a significant decrease in average vehicle speeds, of 9%-16%, was observed at all study sites, but in a longer-term a decrease of 7%-8% remained at the dual-carriageway sites only. A relative increase in yielding rates to pedestrians was of 19%-20% in the short-term and of 13%-14% after two months, at dual-carriageway sites, with no change at the two-lane site. Overall, zigzag marking may improve pedestrian safety. However, as the effects were inconsistent, it was not recommended for widespread use.

Devising a method for improving pedestrian traffic safety when crossing railroad tracks by implementing an information system with a fixed warning time

The object of research is pedestrian safety when crossing railroad tracks at pedestrian crossings. A method for improving the safety of pedestrian traffic when crossing railroad tracks within the area approaching the railroad pedestrian crossing has been developed, by introducing an information system for warning pedestrians about train movement with a fixed warning time. Experimental measurements of the speed of the rolling stock were carried out in the area approaching the pedestrian crossing over the railroad track. With the mixed movement of trains, it was found that the lowest speed of the train was 67.46 km/h, and the highest was the passenger train – 131.9 km/h. At the same time, the speed of freight trains ranged from 74 to 79 km/h. Such data are needed to determine the speed of the rolling stock on the approach to the crossing or transition, which will allow the light and sound signal to be turned on in time when the movement of a pedestrian across the track will be dangerous. The methodology for calculating the length of the approach section to the pedestrian crossing, depending on the speed of the rolling stock, has been given. It was established that the speed of the rolling stock has a significant effect on the length of the approach section. At the lowest measured speed of the train – 67.46 km/h, the length of the approach section was 317.46 m, and when the passenger train was moving at a speed of 131.9 km/h – 620.68 m. For a single-track section of the railroad, a fixed time has been established for warning pedestrians about the approach of a train to the crossing. It is a constant value that is included in the warning information system on a single-track section, and after it, a complex light and sound alarm with an information board is activated, which will warn the pedestrian about the movement of the train. The method for improving the safety of pedestrian traffic with a fixed time of the pedestrian’s anticipation of the train movement could be used at crossings with pedestrian traffic, as a supplement to the crossing signaling subsystem in railroad transport. It can also be used at equipped pedestrian crossings over railroad tracks in urbanized areas. The advantage of introducing such a method is a fixed time to warn the pedestrian, in each specific case of the train approaching the crossing

Smart Traffic Light Control System Using Arduino Mega

Abstract: This article presents the "Smart Traffic Light Control System using Arduino Mega" design. These systems manage traffic flow at intersections, aiming for smooth vehicle movement. However, synchronizing multiple traffic lights at adjacent junctions is complex because of a number of variables. Conventional systems struggle with fluctuating traffic flows and lack consideration for emergencies, pedestrian crossings, and accidents. This often leads to congestion and traffic jams. The suggested method resolves these problems by integrating advanced control mechanisms to adjust traffic signals dynamically, enhancing overall traffic management efficiency and safety

Influence of pedestrian movement on speed of vehicles, capacity and level of service of urban midblock sections

Side friction factors are all those actions related to the activities taking place by the sides of the road and sometimes within the road, which interfere with the traffic flow on the travelled way. They include but not limited to pedestrians, bicycles, non-motorized vehicles, parked and stopping vehicles. These factors are normally very frequent in densely populated areas in developing countries, while they are random and sparse in developed countries making it of less interest for research and consequently there is comparatively little literature about them. The objective of this thesis is to analyze the effect of these factors on capacity of urban roads. The present study is mainly focused on individual effect of the friction factors like pedestrians crossing the road on capacity of urban roads. Data on two sections of 4-lane divided road were collected in Hyderabad with pedestrian cross flow. These are taken as the base sections. Three basic parameters of traffic speed, volume and density are used for estimation of traffic carrying capacity of a road. For determination of speed-volume relationship in heterogeneous traffic condition, the volume calculated by total vehicles recorded for each counting period were converted into equivalent number of PCUs. Mean stream speed or weighted space mean speed is calculated and used in the present study. The present study demonstrates that mix traffic stream can be converted in to an homogeneous equivalent of passenger cars by multiplying the total traffic volume (in veh/hr) by a stream equivalency factor (K). It will avoid the problem of estimation of PCU values for individual vehicle categories in the traffic stream. The stream equivalency factor (K) will depend on traffic composition and a regression equation is developed in this study to estimate K-value on urban roads.

A Multi-Objective Optimization Method for Single Intersection Signals Considering Low Emissions

The exponential growth of urban centers has exacerbated the prevalence of traffic-related issues. This surge has amplified the conflict between the escalating need for travel among individuals and the constricted availability of road infrastructure. Consequently, the escalation of traffic accidents and the exacerbation of environmental pollution have emerged as increasingly pressing concerns. Urban road intersections, serving as pivotal junctures for vehicle convergence and dispersal, have remained a focal point for scholarly inquiry regarding enhanced operational efficacy and safety. Concurrently, vehicles navigating intersections are subject to external influences, such as pedestrian crossings and signal controls, causing frequent fluctuations in their operational dynamics. These fluctuations contribute to heightened exhaust emissions, exacerbating air pollution and posing health risks to pedestrians frequenting these intersections. A reasonable signal timing scheme can enable more vehicles to pass through the intersection safely and smoothly and reduce the pollutants generated by transportation. Therefore, optimizing signal timing schemes at intersections to alleviate traffic problems is a topic that needs to be studied urgently. In this paper, the emission model based on specific power is analyzed. Through an analysis of the correlation between specific power distribution intervals and the emission rates of individual pollutants, it has been observed that vehicle emission rates are at their lowest during idle speed, progressively increasing with rising vehicle speeds. Investigation into specific power distribution based on variables, such as vehicle type, frequency of stops, and varying delays, has led to the deduction that the peak specific power of vehicles at intersections consistently occurs within the (0, 1) interval. Furthermore, it has been established that high-saturation intersections exhibit higher peak specific power compared to low-saturation intersections.

From self-reports to observations: Unraveling digital billboard influence on drivers

The objective of this current study was to evaluate the impact of digital billboards (DBs) on self-reported and observed driving behavior, given their established association with distracted driving. This investigation focused on driver behavior in Iran using a dual-pronged approach. Initially, self-reported driving behavior was analyzed using a Driving Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ), which was completed online by 453 drivers. The factor analysis of the questionnaire data emphasized the significant role of DBs in generating driving errors, lapses, unintentional violations, and intentional violations. The DBQ questions exhibited a clear factor structure, demonstrating high factor loadings and satisfactory internal stability. The findings indicated that advertising signages notably influenced drivers' behavior, particularly in instances of neglecting the behavior of the leading vehicle's driver (Lapse), disregarding pedestrian crossings (Error), disregarding red lights (Intentional violation), and overtaking without considering traffic flow behind (Unintentional violation). Subsequently, participants engaged in an Instrumented Vehicle Study (IVS) to explore observed driver behavior when encountering DBs (899 samples). Four factors were identified as significantly influencing the likelihood of driver distraction: the driver's crash history, time of day, driver's age, and road type. A logistic regression analysis was conducted using the IVS data, revealing that drivers with prior crash experience approached DBs with 8.8 times more caution than those without such a history. Moreover, young adults were 8.25 times more susceptible to distraction from DBs compared to their older counterparts. Notably, the findings suggested that drivers were nearly four times more prone to distraction at night compared to daytime. Additionally, drivers were twice as likely to be distracted at intersections compared to other road types. The outcomes of this study can offer insights for policy interventions regarding the content and placement of DBs, aiming to minimize their impact on road safety while still enabling advertisers to target their intended audience.

Urban Mobility and Road Safety: Approach to the Safety of Users of Soft Modes of Transport in Grand Lomé

Road insecurity is a major challenge for the international community. The aim of this article is to take stock of the safety of users of soft modes of transport in Grand Lomé. The methodology used in this research is based, on the one hand, on the literature review in order to examine the different theories that govern the analysis of road safety issues and particularly on the safety of vulnerable users of soft modes of transport, and on the other hand, on the analysis of the realities on the ground through surveys and interviews with stakeholders. The results reveal real difficulties in getting around users of active modes of transport on the roads of Grand Lomé. The main roads do not have sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. The sidewalks that exist on some of the new roads are, for the most part, narrow and illegally occupied by businesses, which prevent users of soft modes from benefiting from them. Bike lanes are almost non-existent on the developed lanes. Following this logic, the street belongs first and foremost to motorists. Pedestrians and cyclists are guests who must negotiate their passage on the roads of Grand Lomé.

Epidemiology of Paediatric Fractures at Koshi Hospital, A Tertiary Center in Eastern Nepal

Introduction: Paediatric trauma is a leading cause of disability, hospitalization and may lead to mortality in pediatric population. Incidence and nature of fracture varies according to region, culture, seasonal variations and age. Children are more prone to have injury at play grounds, due to fall from height and also due to road traffic accident due to unmanaged traffic and lack of road safety measures. Identification of specific high-risk injury patterns may lead to improved care and outcome. This study aims to find out the epidemiological profile of paediatric injuries presenting to a tertiary care hospital in eastern Nepal. Objective: To study the common fractures and their management in the paediatric age group at Koshi hospital. Methodology: This was a hospital based retrospective cross-sectional study done among 424 paediatric patients at Koshi hospital from January 2021 to December 2021.Ethical clearance was taken from Nepal health research council . Data collection was done from the outpatient (OPD), emergency and the operation room records and was compiled in Microsoft excel 2007. Results: A total of 424 paediatric fractures were taken into study over the duration of one year. Out of which 288 were male (67.92%) and 136(32.08%) were female. Playground injuries were the most common cause of paediatric fractures (49.76%) followed by fall from height (27.35%) and road traffic accident (12.26%). Distal radius and ulna fracture was found to be most common (30.89%). Conclusion: Distal radius and ulna is the commonly fractured bone followed by supracondylar fractures of the humerus. Most of the paediatric fractures can be managed conservatively. Supervised play in the grounds, at home and at schools are important because paediatric injuries most of the times can be prevented to decrease the morbidity and mortality in the paediatric population. Proper knowledge and awareness of the traffic rules and zebra crossings should be implemented with local community participation and cooperation.

Exploring the Feasibility of Autonomous Lighting Systems for Pedestrian Crossings in Off-Grid Areas

A properly designed and manufactured autonomous lighting system has an impact on reducing the amount of conflicts between pedestrians and drivers. For pedestrian crossings located outside of urban areas, one of the utilized solutions is PV installations with an electrochemical energy storage bank. So, the question should be asked: is it possible to maintain proper energy and lighting parameters throughout the year? This depends on the technical parameters of the installation, insolation, operating time, and the number and power of lighting luminaires directly prescribed by formal regulations. The purpose of this article is to present a method for evaluating the performance of a lighting installation at isolated pedestrian crossings based on annual power generation data obtained from a photovoltaic installation. This article presents lighting requirements for pedestrian crossing lighting. Based on the developed five lighting scenarios and energy calculations, year-round operation was simulated. Problems and risks that may affect the availability and performance of the lighting system were introduced. Directions for further research on the application of photovoltaic installations in road infrastructure were identified.

Design and Construction Aspects of Concrete Block Paved Vertical Traffic-Calming Devices Located in Home Zone Areas

In recent years, speed reduction measures have been increasingly used, especially in heavily urbanised areas. If local conditions allow, traffic-calming schemes are implemented, which include a variety of traffic-calming measures (TCM). Some of the most common traffic-calming measures are concrete block paved vertical traffic-calming devices (VTCDs), including speed tables, speed humps, speed bumps and raised pedestrian crossings. Different design and construction recommendations apply to the respective VTCD types. The aim of this article is to examine the effectiveness of VTCDs in speed reduction and the impact of horizontal forces on pavement conditions, both within and beyond VTCDs, after over a dozen years of exposure to traffic. For this purpose, speed surveys were carried out on selected two-way streets running through home zones in Poland. The pavements on selected VTCDs were identified and visually assessed for damage, and subsidence areas were estimated using the terrestrial laser scanning (TSL) technique. The analysis resulted in the development of the Deviation Model 3D (DM3D), showing local deviations from the theoretical surface, obtained by superimposing the two models, the Real Surface Digital Terrain Model (RS DTM) and the Theoretical Surface Digital Terrain Model (TS DTM). A comparative analysis of the pavement surface condition and the magnitudes of horizontal forces allowed us to identify the locations of critical spots in VTCDs. The results were used as the basis for developing recommended pavement structures and deriving engineering recommendations for concrete block paving in VTCDs.

Corrosion of Steel Rebars in Construction Materials with Reinforced Pervious Concrete

Pervious concrete has great potential for use in many practical applications as a part of urban facilities that can add value through water harvesting and mitigating severe damage from floods. The construction and agricultural industries can take direct advantage of pervious concrete’s characteristics when water is a key factor included in projects as part of the useful life of a facility. Pervious concrete also has applications in vertical constructions, fountains, and pedestrian crossings. This work evidences that pervious concrete’s corrosion current increases with increasing aggregate size. Also, corrosion is a factor to consider only when steel pieces are immersed, aggravated by the presence of chlorine, but it drains water and does not retain moisture. Steel-reinforced pervious concrete was studied, and the grain size of the inert material and the corrosion process parameters were investigated. The electrochemical frequency modulation technique is proposed as a suitable test for a fast, reproducible assessment which, without damaging reinforced cement structures, particularly pervious concrete, indicates a trend of increasing corrosion current density as the size of the aggregate increases or density diminishes.

Increasing Energy Efficiency of Autonomous Indication and Lighting Systems for Unregulated Ground Pedestrian Crossings

The work deals with the problem of energy efficiency of autonomous indication and lighting systems for unregulated ground pedestrian crossings equipped with a solar panel being significantly important in conditions of insufficient insolation and low temperatures. The scientific objectives of the work are considered to be as follows: analysis of the conditions affecting the uninterrupted functioning of autonomous indication and lighting systems of unregulated ground pedestrian crossings equipped with a solar panel; selection and justification of objective factors, considering which allow the implementation of battery charge saving modes by optimizing the functioning algorithm of autonomous indication and lighting systems for unregulated ground pedestrian crossings equipped with a solar panel. The work presents the directions for possible technical implementation of increasing the energy efficiency of autonomous indication and lighting systems for ground pedestrian crossings equipped with a solar panel, based on obtaining optical information about vehicles moving in the direction of the pedestrian crossing and stabilizing the brightness contrast of the traffic light signal and the background where it is observed by vehicle drivers.

Evaluation of Tsunami Evacuation Plans for an Underground Mall Using an Agent-Based Model

Tsunamis resulting from earthquakes can cause extensive damage, including infrastructure destruction, injuries, and fatalities. To address these risks, numerous tsunami evacuation simulations have been conducted to assess evacuation strategies and identify issues, particularly in Japan, where the Nankai Trough earthquake is anticipated, affecting underground malls in urban areas. Our previous research primarily focused on evacuating from underground to the surface, neglecting surface evacuation. Therefore, this study extended the previous study to include horizontal evacuation following the exit from the underground mall to ground level. It also considered the impact of pedestrian road crossings as interactions with vehicular traffic within the simulation to enhance realism and verify the evacuation risk. The study also explores scenarios where evacuation guide stairs are unavailable, comparing the effectiveness of alternative staircases in the evacuation plan. Results indicate that while using alternative staircases temporarily increases the number of evacuees reaching the surface, road crossings on evacuation routes become significant bottlenecks, leading to surface congestion and delayed evacuations. This raises doubts about the effectiveness of alternative staircases and highlights the need to consider alternative evacuation routes as a secondary plan. Additionally, the study reveals that reduced pedestrian flow at road crossings can significantly impact on evacuation times. Ultimately, this study demonstrated that achieving a short evacuation time from underground malls to the ground level might not always yield the best evacuation plan. It underscored the importance of considering aboveground factors in evacuation planning to ensure safety in the event of a tsunami caused by an earthquake.

Safety analysis of pedestrians distracted by mobile phones at street crossings: Field study in Nanjing

The growing public concern over traffic safety hazards caused by pedestrians’ distracted behavior, particularly related to mobile phone usage at pedestrian crossings. Through video recording of pedestrians’ street-crossing behaviors on 12 sidewalks across 9 urban road intersections in Nanjing city, 1778 valid pedestrian samples were collected. The study categorizes mobile phone use during the crossing into five distinct types: no use, voice call, screen gaze, screen gaze with operation, and listening to music with headphones. Then, the effects of gender, age and companion conditions on the mobile phone during the crossing were examined by chi-square tests. Utilizing binomial logistic and Relogit regression models, the study analyzed the impact and safety risks of distraction on crossing behavior. Additionally, a random parameters (RP) logit model with heterogeneity in means was used to investigate the determinants affecting mobile phone usage. Notably, individuals aged 18 to 30 years were identified as the random parameter, while factors such as being under 18 years old, having a companion without interaction, having a companion with interaction, weekdays, sidewalk length, and the total number of other pedestrians were identified as fixed parameters. The study also presented significant variables affecting the probability of mobile phone usage through marginal effects, highlighting the potential safety risks associated with mobile phone usage during street crossing. These findings emphasize the need for heightened pedestrian safety awareness and a reduction in distracted behaviors to enhance overall traffic safety.

Urban Evaluation of Pedestrian Crossings Based on Start-Up Time Using the MEREC-MARCOS Model

Urban Evaluation of Pedestrian Crossings Based on Start-Up Time Using the MEREC-MARCOS Model

Performance Metrics for Implementation of Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plans

Safely walking or wheeling in a wheelchair in the community is a civil and human right. Some progress has been made in the US towards making walking/wheeling paths more accessible for people with disabilities through the construction of new curb ramps, fixing sidewalk barriers, and installing accessible pedestrian signals. However, pedestrians with disabilities continue to be limited by infrastructure barriers on sidewalks and streets. To encourage progress and government transparency, we developed a set of performance metrics for local governments to monitor and report their progress in implementing barrier removal plans, called Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plans. We used the five-step Nominal Group Technique to systematically develop and prioritize a set of performance metrics with an expert panel of ADA coordinators, disability organizations, and state and federal Department of Transportation staff. The research resulted in obtaining 53 metrics across five goals and 14 objectives that can be used to measure all phases of implementation and are intended to be customized to fit different community contexts and capacities. The metrics could be used by federal and state transportation agencies, as well as internationally, with some adaptation to ensure that adequate progress in barrier removal is being made. Local governments can use the metrics to document and communicate their progress and effectively reduce ADA compliance litigation concerns.