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Engineering Measures for Improved Pedestrian Safety. Tamara Redmon FHWA Office of Safety April 29, 2008. Engineering Measures for Improved Pedestrian Safety. Few pedestrian safety measures have been researched adequately to say for sure that they improve pedestrian safety. Will discuss:
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Engineering Measures for Improved Pedestrian Safety Tamara Redmon FHWA Office of Safety April 29, 2008
Engineering Measures for Improved Pedestrian Safety • Few pedestrian safety measures have been researched adequately to say for sure that they improve pedestrian safety. • Will discuss: -Engineering measures that are proven by research. -Measures currently being researched with potential to improve pedestrian safety.
Engineering Measures Proven By Research Sidewalks/Walkways on both sides of Road. • 88% reduction in “walking along the road” pedestrian crashes.
Engineering Measures Proven By Research Provide paved shoulder of at least 4 feet. • 71% reduction in “walking along the roadway crashes.”
Engineering Measures Proven By Research Provide raised median or raised islands. • 40% reduction in pedestrian crashes.
Engineering Measures Proven By Research Adding protected left-turn signal phasing. • 70% reduction in left-turn crashes.
Engineering Measures Proven By Research Providing pedestrian countdown signals. • 10 to 15% reduction in pedestrian crashes. • These may become standard as proposed in a Notice of Proposed Amendment for the MUTCD.
Engineering Measures Proven By Research Provide scramble signal timing (Barnes dance). • Up to 50% reduction in pedestrain crashes (for high-pededestrian volume sites only).
Engineering Measures Proven By Research Add overhead lighting along road in pedestrian areas. • 40 to 60% reduction in nighttime crashes (including pedestrian crashes).
Engineering Measures Proven By Research Lane reduction (road diets). • up to 25% reduction in total crashes (including pedestrian crashes).
Engineering Measures Proven By Research Add pedestrian grade-separation (overpass or underpass). • Up to 90%, but only if it is well-planned and designed for high pedestrian use.
Conclusion The effectiveness of each measure will vary from site to site. Look into the research to determine in which circumstances (i.e. number of travel lanes, ADT, speed, pedestrian volumes, etc.) the measure will work best.
Engineering Measures with Potential for Safety Improvement In Street Pedestrian Crossing Sign • Up to 80% driver compliance (yielding) in study locations.
Engineering Measures with Potential for Safety Improvement HAWK: Pedestrian Hybrid Signal • New chapter proposed for MUTCD to describe the application, design, and operation of pedestrian hybrid signals.
HAWK Pedestrian Hybrid Signal HAWK Sequence 1 4 Blank for drivers Steady red 2 5 Flashing yellow Wig-Wag 3 Returnto 1 Steady yellow
Engineering Measures with Potential for Safety Improvement Stutter Flash Beacon • Similar in operation to emergency flashers on police cruisers. • Up to 90% driver compliance (yielding) in study locations.
Questions? Tamara Redmon Tamara.redmon@dot.gov 202-366-4077