In recent years a growing recognition of the importance of improving pedestrian facilities has coincided with the emergence of intelligent signal controllers linked to devices which are able to monitor vehicle and pedestrian movement. In these circumstances it is appropriate to consider changes to operating strategies for midblock signalled pedestrian crossings with the objective of improving pedestrian amenity and safety. Pedestrians become particularly impatient at midblock signalled crossings when a "red man" signal continues to be shown during periods of low vehicle flow. The reduction of unnecessary delay for pedestrians who obey the signal indications would encourage more pedestrians to use the facility correctly and reduce pedestrian annoyance and taking risks. The paper considers the feasibility of components of strategies to improve pedestrian amenity and reduce pedestrian casualties at midblock signalled pedestrian crossings. The alternative strategies are based on the concept of matching changes to pedestrian precedence at midblock signalled pedestrian crossings to pedestrian perception of low vehicle flow and in identifying this perception using a trained neural network. The enhanced strategies are intended to minimise disbenefit, which may otherwise be associated with a system which is more responsive to pedestrian demand, to vehicle occupants by making more effective use of periods of low vehicle flow.
Abstract