Pedestrian Signal Safety - AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

Pedestrians Left in Intersection
At the end of each FDW interval, the number of pedestrians remaining in the intersection was
noted. Only pedestrians who entered during the WALK or FDW interval were included. Table H-10
displays the results of this data collection. The total number of pedestrians left in the intersection
during the observation period is noted as a percentage of the number of pedestrians crossing at
the intersection during the same period. The results are combined for traditional signals and PCD
signals. For younger pedestrians, 1 percent of the pedestrians crossing at the intersection were
left in the intersection at traditional signals, compared to 6 percent at countdown signals. For older
pedestrians, 1 percent of the pedestrians crossing at the intersection were left in the intersection at
TPS, compared to 2 percent at PCD. However, these percentages are based on very small samples.
Very few pedestrians entered the intersections during the FDW interval.
Table H-10. Pedestrians remaining in the intersection at the start of the DON’T WALK interval in
Orange County, California.
Intersection Leg
Intersection A
Intersection B
Younger pedestrians Older pedestrians
Total
Pedestrians
Major 72
Minor 75
Major 39
Minor 49
Total at traditional signals 235
Intersection C
Intersection D
Major 19
Minor 55
Major 57
Minor 77
Total at countdown signals 208
SURVEY RESULTS
Pedestrians
left in
intersection
1
(1 percent)
1
(1 percent)
1
(3 percent)
0
(0 percent)
3
(1 percent)
1
(5 percent)
0
(0 percent)
2
(4 percent)
3
(13 percent)
13
(6 percent)
Total
pedestrians
32
39
27
31
129
26
34
19
31
110
Pedestrians
left in
intersection
0
(0 percent)
1
(3 percent)
0
(0 percent)
0
(0 percent)
1
(1 percent)
0
(0 percent)
0
(0 percent)
0
(0 percent)
2
(7 percent)
2
(2 percent)
A total of 30 pedestrians were surveyed in Orange County, including six older pedestrians.
Approximately 50 percent of those approached declined to be surveyed. Pedestrians were
intercepted after they completed their crossing at countdown-equipped intersections and asked if they
would like to participate in a brief survey on pedestrian safety. Pedestrians were asked if they noticed
anything different about crossing at this intersection than at similar intersections in Orange County.
A follow-up question confirmed that the difference noted was the countdown signal. Twenty-three
(approximately 80 percent) of the pedestrians noticed the PCD signals.
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