DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PEDESTRIAN CROSSING GUIDELINES IN UTAH - FINAL REPORT

Example pedestrian crossing guidelines relating to 21 different pedestrian safety issues are presented. The research team identified the 21 issues through a study of 294 pedestrian-vehicle collision sites in Utah. The example guidelines address pedestrian crossing facilities and enhancements, pedestrian signals, pedestrian facilities, conflicts between pedestrians and turning vehicles, measures and strategies targeted at drivers, pedestrian volume data collection and usage, pedestrian visibility enhancement, and child pedestrians. The emphasis of the example guidance is on engineering-related strategies. The strategies were selected to mitigate the identified pedestrian safety issues. Most of the techniques were obtained from a review of actions taken and tested in Portland (Oregon), Florida, New Jersey, Washington and Salt Lake City (Utah), and as reported in the literature. Example guidance is provided for pedestrian crossings adjacent bus stops, where to mark crosswalks, pedestrian refuges, crosswalk enhancements, signing, pedestrian signal timing and maintenance, countdown pedestrian indicators, sidewalk construction, grade-separated pedestrian crossings, advance warning pavement markings for drivers, guidance and pavement markings for pedestrians, lighting, and traffic calming in neighborhoods. Further study is needed of pedestrian crossing flags, the incorporation of pedestrians into all-red clearance interval calculations, gap-actuated pedestrian signals, pushbutton exclusion, leading pedestrian indicators, and driver penalties following collisions with pedestrians. Extensive before-after studies of the various example treatments are needed to determine their effectiveness. A better understanding of pedestrian characteristics and volumes would facilitate the selection of mitigating approaches. The report includes summaries of pedestrian-related policies, recommendations and regulations in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and in the Utah Administrative Code. A companion document offers detailed information on pedestrian-vehicle collisions and crash sites in Utah.