Urban traffic light cycle times are almost exclusively directed at maximizing throughput and minimizing delay of motorized traffic. The needs of pedestrians and pedal cyclists are of minor importance and their delay times are usually disregarded. Both safety and mobility of pedestrians and pedal cyclists are expected to be negatively influenced by this lack of concern. Safety is involved because delay is related to the percentage of red light violations. Mobility is involved because increased delay times decrease the attractiveness of pedestrian and bicycle trips. One of the objectives of DRIVE project V 1031 is to test the application of microwave detection equipment to improve the situation at traffic lights for pedestrians. This paper examines the results of a pilot trial at two experimental sites in Bradford (GB): a pelican crossing and a junction without pedestrian facilities. At the pelican crossing the detection equipment was used to pre-activate the traffic signal when a pedestrian approached. At the junction, the road traffic all-red time was extended when an approaching pedestrian was detected. The micro wave detection equipment itself was evaluated in terms of reliability and durability. Delay times, red light violations and conflicts were observed before and after the installation of the detection devices to assess the effects upon pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
Abstract