Signal design for pedestrians as if they were thinking adults.

This paper outlines a new model of pedestrian behaviour in which pedestrians make choices between different objectives when they choose when and where to cross roads and railway lines. These objectives involve minimising walking distance, minimising delay and minimising the chance of being hit. Drawing on detailed video based studies of many thousands of pedestrians at rail and road crossings the authors explain why pedestrians behave in ways signal designers find mystifying or stupid. It asserts that the common practice of showing a red signal to pedestrians when most pedestrians find it safe to cross leads to disrespect for the signal. Several hundred interviews of pedestrians administered just after they crossed roads and rail lines provide insight into their perceptions. Many pedestrians find that they can minimise delay and minimise walking distance by ignoring signals. This signalling practice leads to greater danger, rather than less danger because pedestrians will ignore red signals when it is really unsafe to cross. It concludes by calling for new designs of crossings of roads and rail lines that recognise the wide range in pedestrians' abilities. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E214755.