Pedestrian Signal Safety - AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

RESULTS
AGENCY SURVEY FINDINGS
Detailed results of the agency survey are presented in Appendix A. Almost one-half of the
respondents (86 of the 175 respondents, or 49 percent) already had pedestrian countdown (PCD)
signals in place at the time of the survey (conducted during June 2004). Approximately 40 of the
respondents (23 percent) planned to install PCD signals during the next five years. Approximately one
in three respondents (28 percent) indicated that they had no plans to install PCD signals.
PEDESTRIAN COUNTDOWN SIGNAL START/END TIMES (AGENCY SURVEY QUESTIONS 17/18)
As shown in Figure 5, 62 percent of the organizations surveyed started the countdown at the
beginning of the flashing DON’T WALK (FDW) and completed the countdown at the end of the FDW.
Another 3 percent indicated that they started the countdown timer at the beginning of the FDW and
ended during the steady DON’T WALK (DW). Taken together, these two responses show that about
two of three respondents followed the guidance of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD); one-third were not operating their PCD signals in accordance with MUTCD at the time of
the survey.
DO COUNTDOWN SIGNALS PROVIDE A HIGHER LEVEL OF SERVICE
TO PEDESTRIANS?
Below are a few responses that illustrate what respondents view as a higher level of service
for pedestrians:
• the ability to make a more informed choice that can help them adapt their behavior to
ambient conditions;
• allowing pedestrians to cross during FDW (pedestrian can enter the crosswalk) at a [uniform]
walking speed and still complete the crossing prior to the beginning of conflicting green;
• reduced delay for the pedestrian;
• a reduced number of pedestrians in the crosswalk at the onset of amber; and
• improved pedestrian compliance with WALK and FDW indications.
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