Pedestrian Signal Safety - AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

PEDESTRIAN COUNTDOWN SIGNAL START/END TIMES
Survey questions 17 and 18 asked respondents about the start and end times of their PCD signals. A
total of 78 responses were completed for this set of questions. The objective of these questions was
to identify the extent to which jurisdictions were using the PCD devices in accordance with MUTCD
guidance. The following guidance is included in MUTCD for PCD timer start and end times:
Guidance
1. The display of the remaining seconds shall begin only at the beginning of the pedestrian
change interval [when the FDW symbol appears].
2. The PCD signal shall display the number of seconds remaining until the termination of the
pedestrian change interval [FDW].
3. After the countdown displays zero, the display shall remain dark until the beginning of the next
countdown.
4. Countdown displays shall not be used during the WALK interval nor during the yellow change
interval of a concurrent vehicular phase.
DO PEDESTRIAN COUNTDOWN SIGNALS ENCOURAGE PEDESTRIANS TO BEGIN
CROSSING DURING THE FLASHING HAND CLEARANCE INTERVAL?
As shown in Figure A-8, 62 percent of the jurisdictions/organizations surveyed started the countdown
(the show of the remaining seconds) at the beginning of the FDW. The countdown was completed
at the end of the FDW. Another 3 percent indicated that they started the countdown timer at the
beginning of the FDW and ended during the steady DW. Taken together, these two responses
show that about two out of three respondents followed the MUTCD guidance and one-third of the
respondents were not operating their PCD signals in accordance with MUTCD.
Significant comments related to whether or not PCD signals encourage pedestrians to begin crossing
during the flashing hand clearance interval are noted below:
• PCD signals encourage pedestrians to begin crossing during the FDW interval. That is illegal in
California. It essentially encourages jaywalking.
• For some pedestrians, yes. Faster pedestrians cross while slower ones wait for the next cycle.
• Yes. It better informs the pedestrians and, in turn, encourages pedestrians to actually push the
button and wait for the indication to walk.
• The public believes that they must return to the curb when the flashing hand begins, especially
the elderly population. Many ask, “Why can’t the WALK symbol flash instead?” The use of a
flashing WALK symbol in the color of orange would be better understood than the flashing
hand.
• My observation has shown that they actually discourage, more than encourage, crossing, but
both are true.
103