Pedestrian Signal Safety - AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

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and reduced pedestrian activity. Data were collected using a Portable Archival Traffic History (PATH)
system that recorded pedestrian behavior at the intersections. PATH systems record pedestrian
activity at an intersection without interfering with pedestrians.
Upon review of the collected data, the research team decided to return to Salt Lake City and collect
additional data. The data collection team returned in early May 2005 and collected data manually
using field observers at the fourth intersection. Additional data also were collected at the three other
study intersections.
Surveys
The project team did not survey pedestrians in Salt Lake City. The survey instrument was intended
for use in an area where PCD signals were fairly novel and differed from pedestrian signals at
surrounding intersections. In Salt Lake City, PCD signals were ubiquitous and had been in place for a
number of years.
RESULTS
Walking Speeds
The walking speeds of 795 pedestrians were observed at the four intersections. This included 241
pedestrians estimated to be 65 or older based on visual observations. Pedestrian walking speeds
were measured from when they left the curb to when they returned to the curb on the other side of
the street. Pedestrians who left the influence area of the crosswalk (within 2 to 3 feet of the edge
of the crosswalk) during their crossing were not included in the analysis. The mean (average),
50th-percentile (median), and 15th-percentile walking speeds were calculated for both groups of
pedestrians. These values are presented in Table G-2 individually for each intersection’s minor and
major approach. The mean, median, and 15th percentile also are represented collectively for all four
traditional crossings and all four countdown crossings.