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Pedestrian Signal Safety - AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

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COUNTY OF MONROE<br />

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION<br />

TELEPHONE: 760-7700 FAX: 760-7730<br />

MEMORANDUM<br />

To: Terry Rice<br />

From: Jim Pond<br />

RE: COUNTDOWN PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL DEVICES<br />

A device called the “countdown pedestrian signal” has been developed which displays to<br />

pedestrians the number of seconds remaining on the flashing “DON’T WALK” interval.<br />

The device is intended to notify pedestrians how long it will be be<strong>for</strong>e the flashing<br />

“DON’T WALK” time has expired. This expiration is the point in time where they should<br />

have completed their crossing. This in<strong>for</strong>mation in turn may guide them in their decisionmaking<br />

process as they either initiate or complete a crossing of the street.<br />

The current NYSDOT MUTCD does not address these devices. The Federal MUTCD<br />

describes them as an optional device, but does not offer specific guidance on when it is<br />

appropriate to use them. NYSDOT Region 4 is using them on new projects at<br />

intersections <strong>for</strong> crosswalks across the primary street, and does not use them across<br />

side streets. They do not have any other criteria <strong>for</strong> their deployment.<br />

Cost is a significant issue with these devices. In addition to the cost of purchasing and<br />

installing them, there is a very significant energy cost to operate them. There is also the<br />

potential <strong>for</strong> both mechanical failure (based on experience by NYSDOT signals) and<br />

erroneous in<strong>for</strong>mation being displayed on the device (as per the caution in the Federal<br />

MUTCD guidance). There<strong>for</strong>e, this device should be used selectively where it would<br />

provide the most benefit to pedestrians.<br />

Typically, the crossing time is set with an assumed walking speed of 4.0 feet per second<br />

so that the pedestrian can reach the vicinity of the far curb when the crossing time has<br />

expired. Many pedestrians walk at speeds higher than this rate. According to ITE’s<br />

Toolbox on Intersection <strong>Safety</strong> and Design, walking speeds range up to 6.0 feet per<br />

second. Table 1 illustrates the difference in crossing times at these various speeds. The<br />

table assumes 12-foot lanes and adds 12 feet to each situation to allow <strong>for</strong> the extra<br />

distance introduced by the curb radii typically found at an intersection. It also assumes<br />

there is no significant skew angle in the crosswalk.<br />

262<br />

229

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