Pedestrian Signal Safety - AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

SUMMARY
In summary, the key results are as follows for Montgomery County:
• Walking speeds for older pedestrians were generally slower than for pedestrians under 65 by
approximately 0.80 ft./sec. at traditional intersections and 1.10 ft./sec. at PCD signals.
• There was no appreciable difference between walking speeds at traditional and PCD signals
for younger pedestrians. MWS for older pedestrians was 0.30 ft./sec. faster at intersections
equipped with TPS.
• Pedestrians with mobility impairments and without motorized wheelchairs had appreciably
slower walking speeds—their mean speed was 3.10 ft./sec. compared to about 4.20 ft./sec. for
older pedestrians. A small sample size is recognized.
• Older pedestrians had a slower start-up time, but this varied by intersection and leg of
intersection.
• Compliance with pedestrian signals (entering crosswalk on WALK display) was found at PCD
signals for younger pedestrians. Compliance was similar at TPS and PCD signals for older
pedestrians.
• A higher percentage of younger pedestrians were left of the intersection at PCD signal
intersections than at TPS intersections. There was no appreciable difference for the
percentage of older pedestrians who were left in the intersection at traditional and PCD
intersections.
• Operational analysis:
o The existing overall LOS at the Montgomery County case study intersection for the 3.00
ft./sec. pedestrian walking speed scenario was at capacity (LOS E with a corresponding
average delay of 60 sec. per vehicle).
o From existing volume conditions to a modeled increase of 10 percent over existing
volumes, there was a reduction of two LOS designations (from LOS D to LOS F) and a
corresponding increase of 58 sec. to ADPV.
o For the major street approach, AVD increased exponentially with the increase in traffic
volume for the 3.00 ft./sec. walking speed.
o On the minor street approach, there was no change in LOS (LOS D remained the same)
under existing volume conditions as compared to a modeled increase of 10 percent
above existing volumes for the 3.50 ft./sec. and 4.00 ft./sec. walking speed scenarios.
There was a maximum increase in ADPV of 8 sec.
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