The Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) and the Institute of Transportation Engineers (Canada) co-sponsored several projects under the directions of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control (NCUTC) aimed at developing a Canadian Traffic Operations Manual. This paper summarizes the outcome of Project 190: Pedestrian Crossing Control. The project consisted of four main parts: 1) development of a hierarchy of pedestrian crossing control devices; 2) development of warrants and guidelines for the installation of each control device; 3) development of three school crossing programs; and 4) development of a public information and dissemination strategy. Four levels of pedestrian crossing control were identified: 1) marking and signing; 2) special crosswalk; 3) pedestrian signal; and 4) grade separation. A number of road, traffic and demographic factors were considered in developing the guidelines and warrants associated with the above levels of control. These factors included: cross section elements (number of lanes, direction of travel), presence and type of signalization, vehicular and pedestrian volumes, pedestrian ability, roadway speed, corridor strategy, presence of a school, and population density of the analysis area. The school crossing programs Section included descriptions of benefits, guidelines and implementation of each individual program, as well as the interrelationship among the three programs (safe route to school, school patrol, and adult crossing guards). Finally, a public information strategy, including a detailed communication plan was prepared. (A)
Abstract