Motorists yielding to pedestrians at the crosswalk line on multi-lane roads with uncontrolled approaches can screen the view of pedestrians from vehicles approaching in the next lane the pedestrians have to cross. The purpose of this paper is to review some strategies designed to increase the safety of pedestrians at crosswalks with uncontrolled approaches. Strategies that can improve pedestrian safety are the use of a sign instructing motorists to yield in advance of the crosswalks, supported by yield markings and the use of an electronic sign that shows the pedestrian is crossing from the drivers' left or right. This paper also presents in greater detail the results of a 24 site experiment that evaluated the use of a "YIELD HERE FOR PEDESTRIANS" symbol sign supported by advance yield markings. The results of this experiment showed that the sign and markings produced a marked reduction in the percentage of motor vehicle/pedestrian conflicts that involved evasive action, increased the percentage of motorists yielding to pedestrians, and an increase in the percentage of motorists yielding further back from the crosswalk line. Data were also collected on replacing RA 4 signs at crosswalks with more conspicuous fluorescent yellow green signs. The yellow green RA 4 signs produced no change in yielding behaviour or motor vehicle pedestrian conflicts. These results suggest that the RA 4 sign may not be effective in promoting pedestrian safety. (Author/publisher)
Abstract