Evaluation of Pedestrian Safety Countermeasures—Summary of Results, Conclusions and Lessons Learned

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Slide 1

Evaluation of Pedestrian Safety Countermeasures—Summary of Results, Conclusions and Lessons Learned

Peyton McLeod
Sprinkle Consulting, Inc.

Kelley Klaver Pecheux, Ph.D.
Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)

Slide 2

SAIC Team’s Role

  • Conduct an independent national evaluation
  • Compile and summarize teams' results
  • Conduct a cross-cutting analysis
  • Identify lessons learned

Slide 3

Independent National Evaluation

  • Evaluate zone / area-wide combined impacts of countermeasures (as opposed to site-specific, individual impacts)
    • Identified intersections within deployments zones/areas
    • Collected before and after data (safety, mobility, customer satisfaction)

Slide 4

Collins Avenue Zone, Miami

Data Collection Site

Slide 5

Independent National Evaluation--Findings

  • Mixed (non significant, counterintuitive results, inconsistent)
  • No conclusive carry-over impacts / trends found, especially looking across the locations

Slide 6

Summary of Results and Cross-cutting Analysis

  • Compile and summarize results from three locations
  • Compare results across locations

Slide 7

TYPE OF CM COUNTERMEASURE MIAMI LV SF
Static Signs TURNING TRAFFIC YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS signs check mark check mark check mark
In-street pedestrian signs check mark check mark check mark
Active Signs Pedstrian zone signs check mark    
NO TURN ON RED (NTOR) signs check mark    
Portable radar speed trailers check mark check mark check mark
Pavement
Markings		 High visibilty crosswalk treantment   check mark  
Advance stop lines     check mark
LOOK pavement stencils     check mark
Signals and
Signal Timimg		 Pedestrian countdown signals check mark check mark  
Call buttons that confirm the press check mark check mark  
Automated pedestrian detection check mark   check mark
Activated flashing beacons   check mark check mark
Rapid flash beacon check mark check mark  
Leading pedestrian phase (Pedestrian head start) check mark   check mark
Elimination of permissive left turns check mark    
Physical
Separation		 Median refuge island   check mark check mark
Danish offset (in combo with high visibility crosswalk, advance
yield markings and YIELD HERE TO PEDESTRIANS sign)		   check mark  
Lighting Dynamic lighting check mark check mark  

Slide 8

Challenges

  • Similar, but not identical countermeasures
  • Same countermeasure applied somewhat differently
  • MOEs measured somewhat differently

Slide 9

Findings/Conclusions

  • Summarize findings for non cross-cutting countermeasures

  • Assess effectiveness of cross-cutting countermeasures

  • Group countermeasures in terms of effectiveness
    • High
    • Medium
    • Low

Slide 10

High Effectiveness

  • Leading pedestrian phase
  • Pedestrian countdown signals
  • Rectangular rapid flashing beacons
  • In-street signs
  • Call buttons that confirm the press
  • Danish offset (combined w/ high-visibility Xwalk, advance yield markings, YIELD HERE TO PEDESTRIANS sign

Slide 11

Medium/Mixed Effectiveness

  • Activated flashing beacons
  • Electronic no turn on red (NTOR) sign
  • Elimination of permissive left turns
  • Portable speed trailers

Slide 12

Low Effectiveness

  • High visibility crosswalks
  • Advance stop lines
  • "LOOK" pavement stencils
  • "Turning traffic yield to pedestrians" signs
  • Pedestrian zone signs

Slide 13

Effectiveness Dependent on Application

  • Median refuge island
  • Dynamic lighting
  • Automated pedestrian detection (to activate or extend pedestrian crossing phase)

Slide 14

Identify Lessons Learned

Major steps in the project included:

  • Establishing and maintaining a multi-agency team to oversee and guide the project
  • Identifying safety and mobility problems, including potential contributing factors to crashes
  • Selecting countermeasures corresponding to the problems identified
  • Obtaining funding and support for improvements
  • Procuring, deploying, and maintaining the countermeasures
  • Evaluating the effectiveness of the countermeasures

Slide 15

General Lessons Learned

  • Assemble a diverse set of project partners to address the range of issues that might arise during the study
  • Implement regular communication and participation mechanisms for project partners from project kick-off
  • Use a variety of methods/sources to understand problems and to determine causes of crashes at prominent pedestrian crash locations
  • Begin the program by implementing low-cost countermeasures for the greatest potential of widespread use

Slide 16

General Lessons Learned (cont'd)

  • Pursue a variety of funding sources for the pedestrian safety program
  • Do not underestimate the complexity of procurement
  • Budget ample time for deployment and coordinate with the appropriate jurisdictions
  • Consider how the timing of countermeasure deployment may impact the experimental design and evaluation
  • Consider the unique aspects of collecting and reducing pedestrian safety data

Slide 17

Countermeasure-specific Lessons Learned

  • Strategically place in-street pedestrian signs to reduce the chance of them being hit by vehicles and to maximize their effectiveness
  • Consider the technical issues surrounding the use of automated pedestrian detection
  • Translate public service messages into multiple languages to successfully reach non-English speaking populations
  • Be prepared to demonstrate to concerned traffic engineers that the electronic NTOR sign will not significantly disrupt traffic progression along a corridor. Work with the local electrical department and vendors to make sure everything is in place for success.

Slide 18

Thank you.

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Program Contact

Tamara Redmon

202-366-4077

Dick Schaffer

202-366-2176

What’s New

The FHWA Safety Office is continually developing new materials to assist states, localities and citizens in improving pedestrian and bicycle safety. The materials listed on this page were completed recently.

New Spotlight on Pedestrian Safety

New Promoting the Implementation of Proven Pedestrian Countermeasures

Pedestrian Forum - Fall 2011

State Best Practice Policy for Medians

State Best Practice Policy for Shoulders and Walkways

Pedestrian Countermeasure Policy Best Practice Report

The State of Florida is developing a statewide Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. They have set up a project website that includes information about the project, workshop presentations and resources relating to pedestrian safety.

Evaluating Pedestrian Safety Countermeasures

Safety Benefits of Raised Medians and Pedestrian Refuge Areas: Brochure, Booklet

Safety Benefits of Walkways, Sidewalks, and Paved Shoulders: Brochure, Booklet

Pedestrian Safety Strategic Plan