Urban Evaluation of Pedestrian Crossings Based on Start-Up Time Using the MEREC-MARCOS Model

Abstract

In urban areas, the confluence of pedestrian and vehicular flows at intersections necessitates systemic approaches to optimize pedestrian movement and safety at signalized crossings. This study focuses on evaluating the impact of pedestrian start-up time on the efficiency of pedestrian flow at such intersections, utilizing the integrated Method based on the Removal Effects of Criteria (MEREC) and Measurement of Alternatives and Ranking according to Compromise Solution (MARCOS) model. The research was conducted across five cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia, analyzing how variations in start-up time, influenced by different age groups, contribute to overall time losses and, consequently, affect the level of service of pedestrian flows. Criterion values were determined using the objective MEREC method, while the MARCOS method facilitated the evaluation of the cities in question. Both early and delayed pedestrian start-up times were examined, with findings presented through the 85th percentile. Data collection was carried out under actual traffic conditions at signalized intersections, during peak hours, focusing on pedestrians positioned at the front line adjacent to the roadway. The intersections' diverse geometric and spatial characteristics were also considered. The results revealed significant variations in pedestrian start-up times among the top three evaluated cities (Doboj, Sarajevo, and Novi Sad), highlighting the model's sensitivity to input parameters. This study underscores the necessity for tailored traffic regulation strategies to mitigate time losses at pedestrian crossings, ultimately enhancing pedestrian flow quality at signalized intersections.