Influence of approaching tram on behaviour of pedestrians in signalised crosswalks in Poland

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2013

Subject Area

infrastructure - traffic signals, mode - pedestrian, mode - tram/light rail, place - europe, planning - safety/accidents

Keywords

Public transportation, Pedestrians, Tram stops, Crosswalks, Traffic control devices, Traffic safety

Abstract

Research done in two Polish cities has uncovered an influence of an approaching tram on pedestrian behaviour. The measurements were done by counting pedestrians waiting for a green signal, crossing on red signal safely, or crossing on red signal taking a risk of being hit by a car, differentiating between pedestrians attempting to board a public transport vehicle and other pedestrians. It was expected, that pedestrian behaviour might be influenced by traffic control predictability, therefore two cities were chosen for the task: Wrocław with fixed time traffic control and Poznań with a majority of traffic responsive traffic signals. Data from the measurements was compared in order to find behaviour patterns - the comparison led to a conclusion, that an attempt to get on board of an incoming public transport vehicle can be a major cause for pedestrians to violate a red signal, including an increase of unsafe behaviour. These pedestrians may provoke other pedestrians to cross on a red signal. On the other hand if traffic control guarantees boarding the public transport vehicle, passengers-to-be may be even more obedient than other pedestrians.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Comments

Accident Analysis and prevention Home Page:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00014575

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS