This paper presents some of the findings of the Hong Kong Transport Department's investigations of the causes of accidents, at locations with at least six pedestrian accidents per year, and of the remedies applied. The main causes were found to be concealed or misleading vehicle movements, and unsaturated vehicle flows. If both these factors are present when pedestrians cross a road, they generate a major cluster of pedestrian accidents. At signalised crossings, pedestrians often cross against the signals, and asynchronous signalling of lanes at a stopline is dangerous to pedestrians. Widening a road at traffic signals makes it more dangerous. The most dangerous zebra crossings all had zebra crossings all had excess road space, unsaturated flow, and obstructed visibility. A bus stop is dangerous if located opposite an attraction such as a cinema. A pedestrian refuge island is a simple, very successful remedy, and pedestrians make good use of well-located islands. The greatest reductions in pedestrian accidents were achieved by clarifying vehicle movements, by: (1) preventing vehicles from obstructing visibility; or (2) removing unnecessary options for vehicle movement. Pedestrian crossings are safest at sites with no flow or saturated flow.
Abstract