INSTALLATION OF PROTECTIVE CROSSINGS

Investigations into the cause of accidents at pedestrian crossings have taken place in England, Sweden and Switzerland and are discussed. They show that crossings controlled by traffic signals provide the greatest advantages in safety for pedestrians, notwithstanding A universal increase in the number of accidents, and furthermore, that the accident risk to pedestrians near the crossing (within 45 M) 2-2, is 7 times greater than in other locations along the street. In order to make a decision on the installation it is necessary to have a precise knowledge of the traffic flows and the preferred crossing points by means of traffic counts (in each case for 1 hour or 2 of 1/2 hour). In the guidelines of the lower Austrian regional authority threshold levels are stated for three forms of safety crossing control, namely for traffic signs, flashing lights and press-button signals in terms of frequencies of vehicles and pedestrians. These guidelines are aids towards a decision for or against the installation of protective crossings. The pedestrian crossing alone offers little safety unless the optimum position is chosen and the installation allows for clear sight lines, lighting and maximum guidance for the pedestrians. /TRRL/