Pedestrian Signal Safety - AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

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SUMMARY
In summary, the key results are as follows for Broward County:
• Walking speeds for older pedestrians were slower than for pedestrians under 65 by
approximately 0.70 ft./sec. at traditional signals and 1.00 ft./sec. at countdown signals.
• The differences in MWS were not statistically significant at the 95-percent confidence level
between traditional and PCD signals for younger pedestrians. There was a statistically
significant difference between traditional and PCD signals for older pedestrians.
• Pedestrians with mobility impairments and without motorized wheelchairs had appreciably
slower walking speeds than pedestrians without mobility impairments—their mean was 3.40
ft./sec. compared to about 4.40 ft./sec. for older pedestrians in general and 5.20 ft./sec. for
younger pedestrians. A small sample size is recognized.
• Older pedestrians had a slower start-up time, but this will vary by intersection and leg of
intersection.
• The level of compliance (entering crosswalk on WALK display) was consistent among the age
groups and higher for PCD signals regardless of age.
• Very few pedestrians were left in the intersection at any of the study intersections.
• Surveyed pedestrians generally preferred the PCD signal to traditional signals, with 94 percent
of pedestrians understanding the indication.
• Operational analysis:
o For the overall intersection, there was no change in LOS (LOS C remained the same)
and a minor increase of 2 to 3 sec. in terms of ADPV when comparing existing volume
conditions to a modeled increase of 15 percent above existing volumes.
o From a practical standpoint, this would not be noticeable to the average driver. Because
the LOS was relatively good (LOS C) in the base condition, the trends in LOS and
ADPV showed a uniform and relatively small incremental delay for each of the walking
speeds simulated.