Improving Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Crosswalk by Using Upstream Detection Strategy

Abstract

Walking, as a healthy and environmentally friendly mode of travel, has been revived in many cities around the world. The mid-block crosswalk (MBC) is a common type of pedestrian facility, and the pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) is one of most commonly used signalized MBCs, having a wide range of applications. This study applied an upstream detection (UD) strategy to PHB to reduce the pedestrian waiting time at the crossing. Data were collected through video recordings at two crosswalks at two different periods of the day in the city of Nanjing. First, basic simulation models were developed in VISSIM according to the current layout and the signal control methods of the two crosswalks. Second, signal control logic was adjusted to develop simulation models of PHB. Third, upstream detectors were added to develop simulation models of PHB with a UD strategy. Models for PHB were simulated with 10 different random seeds, and a paired t-test was conducted to evaluate the performance of the UD strategy statistically. The results show that the UD strategy for PHB reduces pedestrian waiting time and increases vehicle delay. However, the reduction in pedestrian waiting time is greater than the increase in vehicle delay. The UD strategy has also been found to be more effective for crosswalks, with relatively short crossing lengths and low pedestrian volume. Finally, a discussion about factors concerned with the application of UD strategies in practice is carried out.