Rebecca Peterniak, B.SC., EIT
Jeannette Montufar, Ph.D., P.Eng,
PTOE, FITEDepartment of Civil Engineering
University of ManitobaJune 3, 2014
CMRSC XXIV Vancouver
Evaluating pedestrian
safety at signalized
intersections in
San José, Costa Rica
10 June 2014CMRSC XXIV Vancouver2
The research
10 June 2014CMRSC XXIV Vancouver
Evaluate pedestrian safety and
accommodation at urban signalized
intersections using surrogate safety
measures, the built environment, and
operational characteristics
• Conflicts and signal compliance
3
Objectives of the paper
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1. Understand the surrounding
context of the study corridor
2. Develop and apply a data
collection program
3. Evaluate the characteristics of the
intersection with the poorest
pedestrian signal compliance
4
Study Segment
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5
Study segment
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6
Methodology
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• Data collection
• Conflict studies
• Signal compliance studies
• Infrastructure and operational
inventory
7
Data collection
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9:30 am – 11:30 am
Weekday
(a)
(b)
2 m 2 m 2 m
(a)
(b)
2 m 2 m 2 m
13 716 pedestrians
8
Conflict studies
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9
Gender
Severity & Type
Interval
Signal compliance studies
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10
Red-walker
Amber-walker
Green-walker
Infrastructure and operational
inventory
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Accessible
features
General site
characteristics
Signage and
pavement
markings
Pedestrian
signal timing
and design
11
Evaluation Results
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12
Red-walking by intersection
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Signal 1 contributed 26% of
total red-walking on the
Study Segment
13
Signal 1 42% 1% 57%
Study Segment 88% 2% 10%
N = 1243
SB right
turn
N
Signal sequence and timing
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SB right
turn
display
Ped
display
Potential
conflict
14
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Most conflicts occurred while the
DON’T WALK interval was displayed
1.2 m/s
2.3 m/s
Pedestrian signal heads
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19
Summary
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20
• Developed and applied methodology for evaluating pedestrian safety using surrogate measures
• Intersection with the poorest signal compliance observed less than half of crossing pedestrians green-walking
• Most conflicts occurred during the DON’T WALK interval
Recommendations
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21
• Implement of a longer and more
accommodating pedestrian clearance
interval (walking speed)
• Improve road user education
(pedestrian and driver)
• Consistently apply and maintain
traffic control devices
Rebecca Peterniak, B.Sc., EIT
University of Manitoba
Department of Civil Engineering
204.474.8560June 3, 2014
Thank you
Future research
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23
• Further link safety performance data (conflicts and signal compliance) with infrastructure and operational inventory
• Identify associations and develop diagnostic tool for civil engineers to identify problematic intersections
• Identify countermeasures
