MEASURES FOR THE PROTECTION OF PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IN RELATION TO LEGAL RULINGS. SHOWN USING THE EXAMPLE OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS ALONG THE FEDERAL ROADS IN LOWER AUSTRIA

DURING THE PERIOD 1952-1968 A RELATIVELY LARGE NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS WERE CONSTRUCTED ALONG THE FEDERAL ROADS IN THE PROVINCE OF LOWER AUSTRIA, DESIGNATED WITH INFORMATORY SIGNS AND YELLOW FLASHING LIGHTS. ON ACCOUNT OF THE RECOGNITION BY THE HIGH COURT THAT THE COST OF THIS TYPE OF PROTECTION FOR PEDESTRIANS SHOULD BE BORNE BY THE HIGHWAY AUTHORITY (IN THE CASE OF FEDERAL ROADS THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA), A REDUCTION IN THE RATE OF CONSTRUCTION BECAME NOTICEABLE. A PRECISE EXAMINATION OF EACH PROPOSAL IS NOW UNDERTAKEN PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION. THE BASIS OF THIS EXAMINATION IS THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE ERECTION OF PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS PRODUCED BY THE KFV, WHICH ENABLES A SUITABLE MEASURE TO BE SELECTED ACCORDING TO TRAFFIC FLOWS, PEDESTRIAN FREQUENCY AND CARRIAGEWAY WIDTH. THE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF CROSSINGS EXTENDS TO SITES WITH VERY LOW VEHICLE AND PEDESTRIAN FREQUENCY. AN EXCESSIVE SUPPLY OF SELDOM FREQUENTED CROSSINGS CAN MAKE EXCESSIVE DEMANDS UPON THE CONCENTRATION OF VEHICLE DRIVERS AND LEAD TO PROGRESSIVE INATTENTION WHICH CAN ENDANGER BOTH DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS.