PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AT SIGNALISED INTERSECTIONS IN AUSTRALIA: THE NEED FOR CHANGE

While the Australian standard manual of uniform traffic control devices provides warrants for the use of most pedestrian facilities, there is no warrant for the use of signalised pedestrian crossings at signalised intersections. Further, the current provisions of the national traffic code effectively preclude the development of such warrants in those states which adopt the national code provisions. This paper investigates the effect of this and suggests that it has led to an over- use of pedestrian facilities at signalised intersections. The unnecessary delays caused have resulted in increased disobedience and avoidance of such facilities and, as these are both hazardous behaviours, may have reduced pedestrian safety. An amendment to the national traffic code to reduce control of pedestrians by the circular vehicle signals is recommended. The introduction of a warrant for pedestrian facilities at signalised intersections should then reduce unnecessary road expenditures, reduce delays to pedestrians and motorists and improve pedestrian safety (A). (TRRL)