ON-STREET PEDESTRIAN SURVEYS OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSING TREATMENTS

On-street pedestrian surveys were used to obtain the perspectives of pedestrians in regard to their experiences and needs at pedestrian crossing locations. Seven sites with five different treatments were ultimately selected for study. These treatments consisted of two marked crosswalk treatments, an in-roadway warning light treatment, a Hawk treatment, two Split Midblock Signal treatments, and a countdown pedestrian signal treatment at a signalized intersection. The survey was administered at the selected locations where pedestrians could be approached after they crossed at the study site. It was found through this study that as the control at a pedestrian crossing increases through the addition of signs, flashing lights, and/or signals, the pedestrians' perception of safety also increases. Based on the responses of the survey participants, the factors that have the greatest influence on the pedestrian responses were: traffic volume, turning traffic, presence of disabled pedestrians, traffic speed, and the availability of an alternate crossing. The unpredictability of drivers remains the number one concern to the pedestrians no matter what type of pedestrian treatment is utilized. Even at highly controlled crossings where all traffic is required to stop, determining whether a vehicle will obey the signal is one of the major concerns of the pedestrians surveyed. Also, the perception of a pedestrian can be greatly influenced based on their own abilities.