Countdown Pedestrian Signals With and Without the Flashing Hand: Field Study

Abstract

As part of a proposed change in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, the effects of removing the flashing “Don’t Walk” (FDW) signal from the countdown pedestrian signal (CPS) is being considered. Field research conducted 10 years ago found later pedestrian crossing finishing times when a CPS without the FDW was compared with a CPS plus FDW signal, although there was no increase in the percentage completing crossing after cross traffic was released. Results also indicated a slight decrease in pedestrians running during the CPS alone condition. The purpose of the present study was to replicate systematically the Singer and Lerner field research 10 years later while increasing the number of sites where data were collected (from two to four) and collecting baseline, treatment, and follow-up data at each site. Other differences for this study consist of including both one-way and two-way intersections, different speed limits, and different buffer times. Results of this study found statistically significant decreases in pedestrians who were still in the crosswalk when cross traffic was released at three of the four sites when the FDW was removed from the clearance phase. Additionally, an increase in the number of pedestrians running was detected at some of the sites during the CPS alone condition. Therefore, it does appear that removing the FDW signal from the CPS would result in an increase in the number of pedestrians who reach the opposite side of the crosswalk without interfering with cross traffic.

Pedestrian Crossing Decisions During Pedestrian Transition Signals at Signalized Intersections

“…Overall, it may be concluded that pedestrians do not have a reasonably good sense of clearance time. Furthermore, apparent misunderstanding of the conventional pedestrian green flashing (PGF) or flashing Don't Walk (FWD) display increases slightly with the presence of countdown signals (11)(12)(13).…”

“…However, pedestrian crossing decisions during this period are complicated, and many studies have assessed the crossing behavior of pedestrians during this phase along with the evaluation of pedestrian decisions whether or not to cross (11)(12)(13). These studies showed that some pedestrians who have not yet started to cross will still choose to cross even if the transition signal has started.…”