Pedestrian Signal Safety - AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

POSITIVE IMPACTS OF PEDESTRIAN COUNTDOWN SIGNALS
Respondents were asked if there were any positive impacts of PCD signals. The stated positive
impacts included:
• more time remaining to cross for faster than average pedestrians;
• understandability;
• a more informed choice as to whether to cross the street; thus, better decision-making in
response to the pedestrian change indication;
• pedestrians can gauge their own crossing time by their abilities; pedestrians are able to “speed
up” to clear the intersection;
• reduced pedestrian delay; and
• more pedestrians finishing the crossing during the clearance interval.
NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF PEDESTRIAN COUNTDOWN SIGNALS
The leading responses for negative impacts included an increase in pedestrians entering during the
change interval and pedestrians running to cross the intersection.
CRITERIA AND POLICIES FOR USING PEDESTRIAN COUNTDOWN SIGNALS
Policies as to when PCD signals will be considered in a jurisdiction were reviewed. A summary of
those policies and access to source documents are provided below.
Monroe County, New York
The Monroe County, New York Department of Transportation developed traffic operational criteria
to assist in the decision to use a PCD signal or a traditional pedestrian signal (TPS). The county
considered the influence of conflicting vehicles that could delay a pedestrian briefly during the FDW
interval. Locations with heavier right-turning and left-turning vehicle volumes have a higher potential
to delay a pedestrian’s crossing. The “time remaining” information would be helpful in this situation
to reassure a pedestrian that there is still adequate crossing time available for the completion of the
crossing. The criteria include the following (full text of the draft policy is included in Appendix J):
• PCD signals are recommended where right-turning and left-turning volumes that conflict with
the crosswalk are greater than 400 vehicles per hour.
• There is increased usefulness of the PCD signal as the crosswalk distance increases,
especially in cases of extreme length. The county developed a threshold of at least a 60-foot
(ft.) crossing distance to implement a PCD signal (Pond 2006).
City Of Oakland, California
Policies. Action 1.2.7. Consider using crossing enhancement technologies like PCD signals at the
highest pedestrian volume locations (City of Oakland, California Pedestrian Master Plan).
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