FHWA Course on Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation

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LESSON 15: PEDESTRIAN ACCOMMODATIONS AT INTERSECTIONS (INSTRUCTOR'S NOTES)

Objectives:

Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the major issues related to safely accommodating pedestrians at intersections.
  2. Explain when, where, and how to use crosswalks.
  3. Explain how to use curb bulbs to design safe intersections for pedestrians.
  4. Explain how to use pedestrian signals.
  5. Explain how to use pedestrian refuge islands.

Pre-Instruction:

Components

Activities

Motivation

Review the photographs that the students took of the four urban intersections. Ask the class to critique the design of the intersections in terms of their pedestrian-friendliness.

Objectives

Present and explain the five lesson goals listed above (V-15-1).

Information Presentation:

Components

Activities

Information Sequence

Outline the presentation of the lecture (V-15-2).

Information

Tell the class about general design principles that make for safer intersections for pedestrians (V-15-3).

Discuss the effective use of crosswalks (V-15-4).

Discuss the use of curb bulbs (V-15-5).

Discuss the use of pedestrian signals at intersections (V-15-6 and V-15-7).

Discuss the use of pedestrian refuge islands (V-15-8 through V-15-10).

Example(s)

Show examples (e.g., slides, videotape) of the different design practices cited in the text.

Student Participation:

Components

Activities

Practice

Use the activity provided in the Student's Guide.

Feedback

Provide comment and feedback to the class as appropriate.

Follow-Up:

Components

Activities

Enrichment

Assign reading for Lesson 16.

Review

Provide a summary of Lesson 15 (V-15-11).

Exercise

Ask the students to complete the exercise at the end of Lesson 15 in their workbooks. The exercise is reprinted below for your convenience.

15.7 Exercise: Urban Intersections

The need to develop and detail pedestrian intersection improvements in a manner that can be constructed within the normal field of highway construction is an extremely important issue. Pedestrian accommodations at intersections include both traffic signal and pavement marking improvements. An exercise covering pavement marking issues was previously addressed in Exercise 14.8. With regard to signalization at intersections, pedestrian improvements typically include pedestrian signals, pedestrian push buttons, conduit/wiring, mounting brackets, and pedestrian poles. Traffic signal improvements are specified through a detailed system of standard drawings, specifications, and bid item numbers. An example plan view drawing demonstrating this method for specifying traffic signal improvements using Georgia Department of Transportation standards is provided for reference in Figure 15-1.

Develop a plan to install pedestrian signals and related improvements for an intersection in your community. The plan should be developed using nomenclature and reference standards from your State DOT. A list of standard drawings pertaining to pedestrian facility construction from Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) was previously provided in Exercise 14.8. If possible, you should obtain an intersection drawing from your local traffic engineering department. This drawing typically shows the location of existing roadway features, travel lanes, signal equipment, and utilities. In addition to preparing a plan of proposed improvements, develop an estimate of quantities needed for each construction item and prepare an engineer's construction cost estimate. You will need to utilize the following resources:

  • Plan view drawing of local intersection.
  • Standard drawings (periodically published document).
  • Standard specifications (periodically published document).
  • Bid item numbers (typically a published list).

Solution Commentary

Students should conduct this exercise in as much detail as possible. If this exercise is conducted on a conceptual level only, the effectiveness of this activity will be significantly reduced. The objective is to help the student understand to what degree needed improvements for pedestrians can be addressed within the existing system of standards for roadway construction and traffic signal installation. It is also intended that students will gain an appreciation for the level of detail and exacting form that engineering plans take in the real world of public works construction projects.

Lesson Objectives:

  • Describe issues related to accommodating pedestrians at intersections
  • Explain how to use crosswalks
  • Explain how to use curb bulbs
  • Explain how to use pedestrian signals
  • Explain how to use pedestrian refuge islands

Lesson Outline:

  • General design principles that make safer intersections
  • Use of crosswalks
  • Use of curb bulbs
  • Use of pedestrian signals
  • Use of pedestrian refuge islands

Intersection Design Principles:

  • Encourage crossing at corners
  • Make pedestrians visible
  • Make the vehicular traffic visible to pedestrians
  • Make pedestrian actions predictable
  • Ease movement to street level
  • Minimize the time pedestrians are in the road
  • Slow vehicular traffic

Use of Crosswalks:

  • Location
  • Control of pedestrian movements
  • Promote a connected pedestrian network
  • Visibility
  • Marking types
  • Lighting
  • Maintenance

Use of Curb Bulbs:

  • Shortens pedestrian crossing distance
  • Shortens pedestrian signal phase
  • Allows pedestrians to see the traffic
  • Allows traffic to see the pedestrians

Use of Pedestrian Signals:

  • Pedestrian walking speeds
  • If delay > 30 seconds, pedestrians will cross on their own
  • Make the pedestrian signal heads visible from the crosswalks
  • Place pushbuttons near curb ramps

Use of pedestrian signals (continued):

  • Use pushbuttons with indicator lights (like an elevator call button)
  • Place button boxes in medians
  • Place pedestrian signal heads on channelized islands
  • Provide audible signals where necessary
  • Walk/Don't Walk phases

Use of Pedestrian Refuge Islands:

  • Street width
  • Vehicular volumes
  • Pedestrian volumes
  • Signal timing
  • Roadway alignment
  • Maintenance

Design of Pedestrian Refuge Islands:

  • Cut-through ramps
  • Dimensions (minimum)
  • 12 feet long
  • 6 feet wide
  • 50-square-foot area
  • Highly visible approach nose

Design of Pedestrian Refuge Islands (continued):

  • Pedestrian pushbuttons
  • Proper signing
  • Guidestrips for the blind
  • Barriers for controlling pedestrian movements

Lesson Summary:

  • Pedestrians can be accommodated even at wide, high-volume intersections
  • There are a wide variety of design elements to effect good pedestrian design at intersections

 

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Tamara Redmon

202-366-4077

Gabriel Rousseau

202-366-8044

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 Pedestrian Forum – Spring 2013

New Pedestrian Safer Journey 2013 (Revised)  

Bicycle Road Safety Audit Guidelines and Prompt Lists

Proven Countermeasures for Pedestrian Safety

Spotlight on Pedestrian Safety

Promoting the Implementation of Proven Pedestrian Countermeasures

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